The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed that its collaborative space flight mission with the Space Research and Exploration Agency (SERA) remains on track and will prioritise national research goals.
This was stated in Abuja by Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA.
StarReporters recalls that in June 2024, NASRDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SERA, a United States-based space exploration agency, to sponsor a Nigerian into space.
SERA is expected to collaborate with Blue Origin to reserve a seat for an adult Nigerian, to be selected through a transparent, merit-based process facilitated via a reality programme platform.
“It must be emphasised that the NASRDA-SERA collaborative mission, announced in June 2024, remains on course for an upcoming Blue Origin flight.”
“This programme represents a different pathway, providing opportunities for broader Nigerian participation through open competition.”
“Our collaborative mission will enable Nigerian citizens to participate in astronaut selection and contribute to the development of research proposals.”
“Research priorities for the NASRDA-SERA mission will also be determined through public input from Nigerian citizens,” Ale stated.
He explained that the public-driven approach ensures the mission reflects national research interests as identified by citizens.
Ale added that the application portal for the programme would open in the coming weeks, with details on procedures to be announced.
Meanwhile, NASRDA has congratulated Chief Owolabi Salis, a renowned lawyer and accountant, on his recent solo space flight, marking him as the first born-Nigerian to achieve such a feat.
Salis participated in Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission in June, a suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line – the internationally recognised boundary of space.
Ale noted that Salis’ mission was privately funded and reflected the growing enthusiasm of Nigerians toward scientific, exploratory, tourism, and commercial space ventures.
“His achievement highlights new opportunities for private sector engagement in space programme and positioning the nation among countries where citizens actively participate in space activities.”
“Chief Salis’ successful mission represents one pathway for Nigerian space participation and his achievement complements NASRDA’s ongoing efforts to expand access to space exploration for Nigerian citizens.”
“Nigeria now has both private citizens and government programmes actively pursuing space exploration, positioning the nation as an active participant in the global space economy,” he added.
Ale clarified that NASRDA was officially informed of Salis’ flight by SERA prior to the mission.
The public was encouraged to contact NASRDA’s Media and Corporate Communications department for further details on the NASRDA-SERA space programme.
(NAN)