The National Space Research and Development Agency has clarified that its space flight mission, in collaboration with the Space Research and Exploration Agency, is still on course and will prioritise research. Felix Ale, the spokesman for NASRDA, said this in a statement.

In June 2024, NASRDA signed a memorandum of understanding with SERA, a US-based space exploration agency, to sponsor a Nigerian to space.

SERA was expected to collaborate with Blue Origin to reserve a seat for an adult Nigerian who would be selected through a reality programme platform in a transparent, merit-based selection process.

“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,” Mr Ale said.

According to him, this approach ensures the mission addresses national priorities identified by Nigerian citizens.

He further stated that the application portal for the NASRDA-SERA programme would be opened in the coming weeks, and details regarding the application procedures would be made public.

In the same vein, NASRDA had congratulated Owolabi Salis on his successful solo space flight as the first Nigerian in space.

Mr Salis, in June, was one of six passengers on Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, a suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line, the recognised boundary of space.

Mr Ale said that Mr Salis privately funded his space mission, demonstrating the deep interest of Nigerians in participating in scientific, exploratory, tourism, and commercial space activities.

“His achievement highlights new opportunities for private sector engagement in space programmes 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 said.

Mr Ale clarified that NASRDA was duly informed of Mr Salis’s mission through SERA prior to the flight.

Mr Ale called on the general public to get further information on the NASRDA-SERA space programme from the agency’s media and corporate communication department.

(NAN)