The National Space Research and Development Agency says the procurement of six new satellites approved by the Federal Government is now 95 per cent complete.
NASRDA Director-General Matthew Adepoju disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, saying the project is aimed at upgrading Nigeria’s space programme and replacing ageing assets.
The planned constellation comprises three optical Earth observation satellites, one synthetic aperture radar satellite and two communication satellites, designated NigComSat-2A and 2B.
“Currently, there is a procurement procedure which we are at 95 per cent level now,” Adepoju said.
He added: “Very soon, at the African Space Economic Conference coming up in November, we will be signing an MoU and contractual agreement with our foreign technical partners.”
Adepoju said the satellites are larger systems rather than nanosatellites and confirmed that funding for the programme had been approved.
“We have three optical satellites to be launched at sub-metre resolution. We have Synthetic Aperture Radar to be launched at one-metre and sub-metre resolution, then communication satellites, which come as 2A and 2B,” he said.
He also announced plans for a new assembly, integration and testing laboratory to expand Nigeria’s ability to develop and produce satellites locally.
According to Adepoju, the facility will provide end-to-end capacity for satellite assembly, integration and testing while supporting the development of a new generation of space assets.
