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‘NigeriaSat-1, first to pick Hurricane Katrina images’
Prof. Robert Boroffice, director general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in Abuja has stated that NigeriaSat-l was the first satellite to capture images of Hurricane Katrina.
“On September 2, the first DMC image of Gulf Coast of the US where Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc was captured by NigeriaSat-l and made available to the U.S. Geological Survey,” he said.
He said that the satellite in its two years of existence had contributed remarkable images on desertification, flooding, fire, quelea bird invasion and other forms of disaster to the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) Committee, which Nigeria is a member.
He said that images from the satellite were of high quality and sold internationally as well as used for various projects by experts within and outside the country.
“NigeriaSat-l has proved to be a reliable and readily available source of satellite data needed for sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole,” he said.
Boroffice said that NigeriaSat-l, a micro-satellite with focus on Earth observation has made more than 2,974 passes over Nigeria, providing useful imagery with the potential of aiding development.
He said that the satellite, which life span was put at five years, was healthy and had the potential of raising Nigeria’s image among the comity of nations.
He said that Nigeria had already commenced preparations to build another Earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-2 in 2008 when the present satellite was due to expire.
Earlier, Prof. Turner Isoun, minister of science and technology, had said that government was deploying space science and technology in wealth creation, poverty alleviation and the provision of vital data for national development.
Isoun said that the result recorded by NigeriaSat-l was a testimony of government’s commitment to the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the nation.
Isoun, who was represented at the ceremony by Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, director general, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), said that NigeriaSat-l and the other satellite planned for the country, would positively impact on the nation’s growth and development.
Nigeria is expected to launch a communication satellite (NigcomSat-l) in 2006 and a high resolution Earth observation satellite (NigeriaSat-2) in 2008.
Our correspondent reports that the week was aimed at creating awareness among decision makers and the general public on the importance and peaceful uses of space activities to improve economic and social welfare of humanity.
Boroffice made this known at a ceremony to mark the World Space Week and NigeriaSat-l two years in orbit.
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