Past, Present, and Future Space Program

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Past, Present, and Future Space
Program African/Nigerian Experience PROF. P. N.
OKEKE, FAS NASRDA, Centre for Basic Space
Science, Nsukka An invited paper presented at
the First African Leadership Conference on Space
Science and Technology for Sustainable
Development at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.23-25 Nov.
2005
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• SUMMARY
• Space activity has tremendously changed human
  life on Earth as stated by Dr. Abiodun, Dr.
  Akinyede, and others.
• It has touched each of the following human
  necessities food, water, shelter, education,
  health care, energy resources, communication,
  transport, security, and adventure.
• Industrialized countries invest heavily in space
  activity without being too conscious of its
  immediate benefit.
• African countries are not comfortable to invest
  in basic space research because its immediate
  benefit is not evident.
• Developing Countries like China, India, South
  Africa Brazil, have successfully joined the World
  Space Club.

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• In the last three years Nigeria and Algeria have
  come to realize the importance of joining the
  World Space Club .
• A lot has been achieved in space technology
  within the last 50 years and a lot more remains
  unsolved.
• The issue of possible life in Mars and other
  planets is making NASA very restless and in no
  distant time, it might be possible to make the
  permanent extension of human presence beyond the
  bounds of the Earth as already pointed out by Dr.
  Abiodun
• In this paper, we briefly review the past
  achievement of space technology world wide (a
  difficult task), discuss its present status, and
  examine the current role played by African
  Countries and Nigeria in particular in the
  development of space technology.

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• 1. PAST ACHIEVEMENTS OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• In the past people first studied astronomy and
  atmospheric sciences because of its fascinations
  and challenges.
• It suprisingly turned out that this led to basic
  discoveries like radio waves, satellite
  communication, TV, fax, telephone, electronic
  mail, aeroplane, weather forecasting,
  telemedicine etc.
• Before, Space activities was used as an
  instrument for demonstrating military supremacy.
  Today it is for peaceful use.
• Efforts to build Hi-Tech modern astronomical
  observatories for viewing space, results in
  unbelievable technological spin offs, because
  these instruments requires not only astronomer
  but skilled engineers and technicians in
  electronics, optics, mechanics, computer
  hardwares and softwares to function.

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• It requires advanced industrial capabilities and
  precision engineering to set up an astronomical
  radio and optical telescope, like SALT which was
  commissioned on Nov. 10, 2005. On it way is SKA
  one of the largest radio telescope in the
  world. Big Congratulations to S. Africa.
• There is enormous competition among advanced
  countries in the building of large ground based
  optical and radio telescopes over the past 30
  years. The reason is not immediately obvious to
  African countries. This is why we think it is not
  a priority exercise.
• Astronomy has contributed immensely to Medicine,
  electronic receivers, Computer programs,
  industries, and defense to mention a few.

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• 2. DEVELOPMENTS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY WORLD WIDE,
  RESULTING FROM SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY.
• 'All Human kind must rise above the Earth to the
  top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only them
  he will be able to fully understand the world in
  which he lives - --Socrates
• The first artificial satellite - the Sputnik -
  1957 by Russia.
• A major inspiration in space Tech. and opened
  new techniques.
• The platform in space can be used either for
  looking outwards to space (for Astronomical
  Research) or downwards on earth (for Remote
  sensing, Meteorology and Space Communication).

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• Today there are thousands of satellites in
  earth's orbit, lunched by several countries.
• Nigeria and Algeria realizing the importance of
  this technology, did not hesitate in leapfrogging
  to the technology.
• Satellite can perform several different
  operations depending on the type of payload.
• Most notably we have Remote Sensing Satellite,
  Communication Satellite, Astronomical Satellite,
  Meteorology Satellite, and Space Station.
• Nigeria is presently pursuing the development of
  the first two types of satellite.

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The Space Science and Technology Sector can be
subdivided into 3 key areas. (i) Space Science
Technology applied to the Earth itself. (a) Earth
Observations Remote sensing, Environmental
monitoring, Meteorology Hundreds of satellite
have played key roles A few include American
LAND SAT, and NOAA, French SPOT, NASA and S.
African SUNSAT , AVHRR, Russian METEOR, and
NIGSAT 1. (b) Terrestrial Uses Satellite
Communication, Satellite Positioning Navigation
Systems, Disaster Warning Mitigation
systems. Here we can mention INTELSAT, AFRISAT,
the GPS involving 24 communication satellites
(which gives accurate position, altitude,
velocity, time and hence useful in navigation in
sea, air, and land) etc and the proposed
NIGCOMSAT 1.
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(ii) Space Science Technology applied to other
bodies in space (a) Astronomical Observations -
of stars, planets, moons, asteroids, galaxies
the universe, radiation, particles etc. using
ground based space- based instruments.
Existing facilities include Hundreds of ground
based instruments, Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
and New Generation Space Telescope (NGST)
Optical, Chandra X-ray satellites and Japan YOKO
X-ray satellites, Compton GRO Gamma ray
telescope., SIRTF space infrared telescope
facilities, ARISE Advanced Radio Interferometer
between the Earth and Space, LISA Laser
interferometer for gravity waves, black holes and
super massive objects.
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(b) Space Exploration Exploitation - arbiters,
landers, flybys, asteroid, comet, rendezvous
etc. NASA, Russia and others have been working
in this area. In particular huge money has been
invested in the construction of Space Patrol
which will monitor the possible collision of a
huge asteroid with the earth, and get it
deflected or destroyed.
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(iii) Space Science Technology applied to space
itself (a) Space Sciences Space physical and life
Sciences NASA has dominated this area of
exploration. They have sent several missions to
Mars and other planets. Efforts to establish some
form of life in Mars have intensified. Very soon
spin offs will begin to emerge. (b) Space
Technology Engineering International space
station, Space platforms, Space
Transportation The Russians MIR space station
and the ISS are doing well. With the advances in
solar cell technology, more improved space
station is expected. Space Biology research and
space medicine have intensified over the years.
Space physical science study of crystal growth
and fluid behaviour in microgravity and vacuum
space have also continued to be important
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• 3. NEW DIMENSIONS IN SPACE ACTIVITIES
• Space activities have
• Moved from its initial role as a prime vehicle
  for displaying ideological and military
  supremacy, to that of being applied to direct
  benefit of man.
• Now become an essential component of the
  information age.
• Touched human necessities including food,
  water, shelter, education, health care, energy,
  resources, communications, transportation,
  security, disaster management and adventure.
• Provides mankind with the potential tools for
  economics development.

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4. EARLY ATTEMPT TO INITIATE BASIC SPACE SCIENCE
BY NIGERIANS 1950-1970, University of Ibadan
Physicists O. Awe, and E.O. Olatunji. et al
ionopheric research C.A Onwumechili, et al
Geomagnetism A.I. Ette et al - Atmospheric
Electricity. E.E Balogun - Satellite meteorology
( OAU Ile-Ife) M. Fubara - Geodesy and
Geodynamics (UST PH) A. Adenyi - Remote Sensing
(University of Lagos) S. Patrick. - Remote
Sensing (Bayero University) 1972 - Present,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka Physicists S.E.Okoy
e - Radio Astronomy P.N.Okeke - Optical, Radio
Astronomy, Solar physics, High Energy
Astrophysics. What is it that retarded such an
early start? The Answer is that Government did
not provide coordination and financial
support. What of other African countries? Only
S.Africa is advancing Little programs are going
on in Egypt, Mali, Algeria, Kenya, Ethiopia etc.
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5. EFFORTS IN SPACE APPLICATIONS
PROGRAMS Initiated by Prof. R.A Boroffice and Dr.
A Abiodun 1976-89 Effort was made by Government
to establish Remote Sensing Centre. 1987,
Government constituted a National Committee on
Space Applications. 1993, Government produced a
draft space policy. 1999, NASRDA was Established
in Abuja. 2001, Final space policy was produced
and approved by the President. 2002, Six NASRDA
development Centres were created (Centre for
Basic Space Science-CBSS, Nsukka Satellite
Development- CSD, Abuja Remote Sensing-CRS, Jos
Space Transport-CST, Lagos Geodesy-CG, Toro
Space Science and Tech. Education-CSTE, Ile-Ife).
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• MANDATE OF NASRDA HER CENTRES
• Development of Human Resources, Capacity
  Building and Education
• (Via international Collaboration)
• CBSS and CSTD have well defined plans
  Collaborators include
• Japan, and S. Africa in Radio and Optical
  Astronomy.
• Harvard University - Climatic studies and
  early warning systems.
• UK , China and Russia - Satellite development
  and lunching.
• Natural Resource Management
• (Jointly tackled by CSTD, CRS, and CBSS)
• -Agriculture, land, water, Ecosystems, plant,
  physical environment
• Defence and National security
• Jointly tackled with NASRDA

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Study of Earth and Nigerian space Environment
(via international and national collaboration)-
atmosphere, solar effects, weather, air
pollution, ozone layer, gases, lightening and
thunderstorms . CBSS is to handle with
international and national collaborators - USA
and NIMET, Abuja. Space Communication (To
provide services in broadcasting, internet,
education, and telemedicine) to be handled by the
proposed NIGCOMSAT 1 Study of Distant space
Via ground based Astronomical telescopes ( CBSS
to handle this with the collaboration of Japan,
and South Africa)
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• 7. MY VIEWS ON THE WORLD FUTURE OF SPACE
  TECHNOLOGY
• It is observed that space activities has so much
  enabled unprecedented exploration of the
  environment around Earth and is extending this
  even deeper into our universe and its origins.
  However, there is yet a lot to be understood
  Origin of cosmic magnetic field, formation of
  planets and galaxies, life in other planets, dark
  matter in the universe, nature of Massive black
  holes, sun-climate connections, too many to
  enumerate.
• The tremendous effort by NASA and others to find
  origin of life in Mars and other planets should
  not be ignored. Very soon spin offs will begin to
  emerge.
• It might be even be possible soon for scientists
  to make the permanent extension of human presence
  beyond the bounds of the Earth.. Acording to Dr.
  Abiodun in 1000 years to come we espect
  surprising results.

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• Efforts to discover and understand gravitational
  waves is pointing to a new revolutionary science.
• The dark matter problem if resolved could have a
  tremendous impact on our place in the universe.
• We can safely conclude that many discoveries of
  tomorrow, perhaps new energy or something
  revolutionary will undoubtedly emanate from the
  current intensive research in basic space science
  Research in Basics space science is thus an
  important investment for our common future.
  African countries should be encouraged to
  participate bearing in mind that original
  thinking in new directions will yield
  revolutionary results.

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• 8. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF NASRDA HER CENTRES
• ? Nigeria launch it own Satellite for Remote
  Sensing and Disaster monitoring in 2003 .
• The satellite has produced series of valuable
  maps bought and used by stake holders, and a
  number projects have been carried
  out-degradation, Gulley erosion, mineral
  exploration, disaster monitoring, Production of
  Abuja Image maps.
• ? Fifteen young Engineers and physicists have
  been trained in UK ready to lift frog into the
  technology of satellite.
• A ground receiving station has been installed at
  Abuja and is manned by our scientists.
• ?Nigeria is again warming up to build and launch
  a communication satellite by the year 2006.
• For the first time in 2004, CBSS successfully
  brought together all our space scientists in
  universities and research institutes through a
  workshop to plan as a team, the directions in
  which Nigeria should go in various areas of space
  science. Acording to Dr. Abiodun we should carrry
  them along.

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? CBSS has signed and is about to execute a very
serious MOU with Japan National Astronomical
observatory. A Japanese expert in Optical
Astronomy arrived Nigeria on November 16 to teach
researchers on the use of our newly acquired
18cm and 25cm optical telescopes. ? By January
2006 three CBSS researchers will leave for Japan
for well planed Capacity building in Radio
astronomy and instrumentation. ? CBSS is also
sending two researchers to Cape Town in February
2006 to train with the Largest optical instrument
in the southern Hemisphere (SALT). ? CBSS has
floated a Journal of Space Science The
Nigerian Journal of Space Research which will
publish on regular basis original research
carried out by African researchers in various
areas of Space science and technology. The first
volume will be out in December 2005.
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9. FUTURE PLANS OF NASRDA As supported by Dr.
Akinyede and others, NASRDA is determined to
Join the world space club in the next few
years. Build up a critical mass of
knowledgeable and trained space scientists.
Intensify the development of Basic space science
and technology from the grass root.
Pursue aggressive development of basic
infrastructure to be able to do things for
ourselves.
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Carry out careful co-ordinated capacity
building in advanced countries in all Hi-Tech
areas. Lunch a communication satellite for
solving specific national problems. NIGSAT 2
with better resolution should be pursued with S.
Africa. Acquire capabilities to build Hi-Tech
equipment like Telescopes and accessories by
ourselves. Capabilities to build and lunch
satellites by ourselves. I am extremely happy
that our dear President is fully in support.
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10. CONCLUSION Space Sc. and Tech. Development,
is an assignment for all nations. Every Nation
should harness and utilize space. Advanced
countries of the World have done well . Africa
is challenged to join. We should resist to be
follower all the time. We should endeavour to
think in new directions capitalising on our
vantage position. Technology cannot be
transferred. We must do it ourselves, by working
as a team with African Univ. and proper funding
of Basic research by Government.