Abuja—The National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, is to develop and build a Nigerian satellite by 2018, its Director-General, Prof. Seidu Mohammed, has said.

Mohammed announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.
He said the agency was working on the legal framework of the Nigerian space programme with a view to enhance the nation’s Space Science and Technology Administration.

He said that the legal framework would set the foundation for the erection of systematic space science and technology in Nigeria.
He said: “The policy document for the actualisation of the Nigerian space programme indicates that 2011 is meant for Nigeriasat II and X, while in 2015, the training of astronauts will commence.

“The agency is expected to achieve the development and building of made-in Nigeria satellite in 2018, while 2025 is for the development of rocketry/ propulsion system,” he said.