Nigeria plans to send an astronaut to space by 2030

By Kieron Monks, for CNN

Updated 1019 GMT (1819 HKT) April 6, 2016

The Nigerian government has announced plans to launch an astronaut into space by 2030, as part of an ambitious space program.
Photos: To boldly go
The Nigerian government has announced plans to launch an astronaut into space by 2030, as part of an ambitious space program.
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Nigeria has already launched five satellites into space. The first - NigeriaSat-1 - was launched on a Kosmos-3M rocket from Russia's Plesetsk spaceport in 2003.
Photos: To boldly go
Nigeria has already launched five satellites into space. The first - NigeriaSat-1 - was launched on a Kosmos-3M rocket from Russia's Plesetsk spaceport in 2003.
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Nigeria has also utilized the Chinese 'Long March 3-B' rocket (pictured), and three of its satellites remain in operation.
Photos: To boldly go
Nigeria has also utilized the Chinese 'Long March 3-B' rocket (pictured), and three of its satellites remain in operation.
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For several years, the Nigerian Space Agency has collaborated with the British company Surrey Space Technology Limited (SSTL) to develop the program and train engineers.