SERA and NASRDA Partner to Launch Nigeria's First Astronaut

SERA's journey to democratize space exploration reached a new milestone with a groundbreaking partnership with Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). This collaboration, initiated at the 2023 IAC Conference in Baku, aims to send Nigeria's first astronaut to space on SERA's upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard mission, adding another chapter to Nigeria's growing list of space achievements.

Nigeria's Spacefaring Legacy

Nigeria has already made significant strides in space exploration, launching its first satellite, NigeriaSat-1, in 2003 and subsequently deploying several others for Earth observation and communication purposes. This partnership with SERA represents a bold step forward, aiming to make space accessible not just to institutions but also to individual citizens.

The Genesis of a Partnership

The partnership's roots trace back to a meeting at the 2023 IAC in Baku between SERA and the LearnSpace Foundation, a Nigerian NGO dedicated to space education and exploration initiatives in Africa. LearnSpace, led by renowned space law expert Anne Agi, enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to promote SERA's mission to NASRDA.

SERA’s first astronaut Victor Hespanha speaks at the 2023 IAC in Baku

Following successful discussions with NASRDA leadership, an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on June 19th this year. The signing ceremony, graced by the presence of Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, and senior officials from both organizations, solidified the commitment to this historic endeavor.

Dr.Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, signs the agreement

Inspiring the Next Generation

NASRDA hosted an event at their headquarters, where over 500 schoolchildren had the unique opportunity to meet Victor Hespanha, SERA's first astronaut, and hear firsthand about his journey to space. The children were then given a tour of the NASRDA museum, fostering a deeper understanding of Nigeria's past and future space activities.

Victor meets Nigerian school children at NASRDA headquarters

Expanding the Vision

The partnership's impact extends beyond sending an astronaut to space. SERA and NASRDA, alongside the Honourable Minister Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, also engaged with the Executive Governor of Imo State to explore further collaborations focused on STEM education and private investment in the Nigerian space sector.

The SERA team meets with His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma

A Nationwide Celebration

The announcement of the partnership received widespread acclaim, with extensive media coverage across Nigeria. The SERA team and NASRDA representatives also appeared on Nigeria's leading night-time talk show to discuss the mission's significance and the opportunities it presents for Nigerian citizens. You can watch it here

The Path Ahead

In the coming months, SERA and NASRDA will work together to raise public awareness of this historic opportunity and engage schools and research institutions to propose experiments for the Nigerian astronaut to conduct in space. This partnership represents a giant leap towards making space accessible to all and inspiring the next generation of Nigerian space explorers and innovators.

The next generation of Nigerian students is ready for lift-off!

SERA's collaboration with NASRDA marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria's spacefaring journey, building upon its existing accomplishments and demonstrating the power of public / private cooperation in advancing space exploration. Stay tuned for further updates as SERA and NASRDA embark on this exciting mission together.