By Sylvester Thompson
Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Space Exploration and Research Agency(SERA) a U.S based firm, on human space flight to send the first Nigerian to space.
The National Space Research and Development Agency(NARSDA) signed on behalf of the Federal Government, monitored by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology on Wednesday in Abuja.
Sam Hutchison, Co-founder of SERA, said the human space flight program gave Nigerians opportunity to choose who they want to send to space.
“The process of application would be open to anybody in Nigeria who is up to 18 years of age, there are no other qualification required.
” You will be able to sign up and then encourage others to vote for you, as part of democratic process, the Nigerian people will select four potential astronaut candidates before a final selection process.
“The important thing to understand is that anybody can apply, you don’t have to be a scientist, mathematician, Engineer,” Hutchison said.
He disclosed that it was about opening up access to ordinary Nigerians and giving them opportunity to be the first Nigerian in space.
He hinted that the selection process would be open and fully run by SERA platform where anybody would be welcome to apply.
He said Nigeria was chosen because the country had indicated serious intent in regard to future space exploration.
He said the objective of the mission was to raise awareness among young people in Nigeria, that if they get into science, technology, engineering and mathematics, they could go to space.
“There are billions of dollars being invested in the commercial development of in-space activities and Nigeria should be part of it,” Hutchison said.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, remarked that human space flight was a key objective of Nigeria.
He said the National Space Policy and Program (NSPP), approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2001, identified human space flight as one of it’s three pillars.
“According to the 25-year roadmap approved in 2005 for the implementation of the NSPP, our first human space flight was scheduled for 2018.
“This means we are about six years behind schedule,” Nnaji said.
He stated that the signing of the MoU was a testament to the rigorous efforts of the ministry the past months.
Earleir, Dr Mathew Adepoju Director General of the NARSDA, said the MoU on human space flight was a milestone.
He further outlined various achievements of the agency in space research.