Nigeria launches two satellites

Nigeria Launches two satellites
Uche Aneke, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has expressed happiness over the launch of NIGERIASAT-2 and NIGERIASAT-X, saying it marked another milestone in the nation’s effort to solve national problems through space technology.

In his remarks before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, the President commended the resourceful Nigerians who made the history possible.

The two satellites were launched into the orbit at 8.12 am on Wednesday at Yasny in the Russian Federation.

NIGERIASAT-Xwas designed and built by Nigerian engineers and scientists while NIGERIASAT-X was built in collaboration with an international partner, the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited of the UK.

Jonathan said the Federal Government would continue to emphasise investment in science and technology as a tool to drive the transformation agenda of his administration.

He urged professionals, Ministries, Department and Agencies and the private sector to take advantage and optimal use of the national assets.

Earlier, the Head of Media and Corporate Affairs of the National Space Research Development (NSRD), Mr Felix Ale, said that the ground stations of the two satellites had been switched on at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

Ale noted that NigeriaSat2 had made its first pass through Nigeria while the NigeriaSat-X would soon pass through the country.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, said that the new satellites would replace NigeriaSat-1 to ensure data continuity and to meet both local and international demand for high resolution images.

Crop monitoring function

Ewa said the satellites would also provide high resolution imageries of Nigeria once in every four months and enhance food security by monthly crop monitoring among other objectives.

Ewa led a high powered delegation to Russia, for the satellites launch on Wednesday.

President Jonathan urged Nigerian Professionals, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and private sector to take advantage and optimize the use of these national assets.

Williams