Blast off: Nigeria to ship first citizen to area in partnership with SERA and Blue Origin

Six a long time after the primary human reached area, a Nigerian could have the chance to do the identical due to a partnership between the Area Exploration & Analysis Company (SERA), a world area company, and the Nationwide Area Analysis and Improvement Company (NASRDA).

The partnership will see SERA reserve a seat on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital spaceflight for a Nigerian citizen. The SERA-funded venture is open to all Nigerians aged 18 years and above.

The partnership is a part of a broader partnership with Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin, to ship six people from nations traditionally underrepresented in area exploration. In 2022, the initiative sent Victor Hespanha, a Brazilian civil engineer, to area.

“Till now, area has been an unique area, with over 80% of all astronauts thus far coming from simply three international locations. Nigeria has a wealthy historical past of scientific and technological innovation, and we’re honoured to companion with NASRDA to increase this legacy into area and create new alternatives for Nigerian area explorers,” mentioned Joshua Skurla, Co-Founding father of SERA.

This marks a big milestone in Nigeria’s area exploration journey. For over 20 years, Nigeria has talked up its area ambitions and made efforts. In 2000, the Nationwide Area Coverage (NSP) was accredited, two years after the institution of NASRDA to interrupt new frontiers by means of area exploration and exploitation. Nigeria launched its first satellite tv for pc—Nigeria Sat-1 in 2003–and has gone on to launch 5 different satellites. In 2016, Nigeria said it plans to ship its first astronaut to area by 2030. 

“We’re delighted to see this partnership come to fruition. Human area flight is not only a random aspiration of our nation,” Uche Godfrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, mentioned whereas signing the MoU on behalf of the Federal Authorities.

Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director Normal/Chief Govt of NASRDA, described the partnership as “a testomony to Nigeria’s rising prominence within the world area group.”