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.
Hide Caption
1 of 11
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.
Hide Caption
2 of 11
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.
Hide Caption
3 of 11
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.
Photos: To boldly go
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.
Hide Caption
4 of 11
Images of New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina in 2005, taken from NigComSat-1.
Photos: To boldly go
Images of New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina in 2005, taken from NigComSat-1.
Hide Caption
5 of 11
NigeriaSat-X, launched in 2011, was the first to be designed and constructed by Nigerian engineers, and is now part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), set up for the Algerian, Nigerian, Turkish, British and Chinese governments to provide emergency images in the event of a disaster.
Photos: To boldly go
NigeriaSat-X, launched in 2011, was the first to be designed and constructed by Nigerian engineers, and is now part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), set up for the Algerian, Nigerian, Turkish, British and Chinese governments to provide emergency images in the event of a disaster.
Hide Caption
6 of 11
The Nigerian space agency claims to have trained 300 staff to PhD or BsC level, and has ambitious plans to expand the industry, and encourage space programs across the continent.
Photos: To boldly go
The Nigerian space agency claims to have trained 300 staff to PhD or BsC level, and has ambitious plans to expand the industry, and encourage space programs across the continent.
Hide Caption
7 of 11
Space is becoming a priority for several countries across Africa. Ethiopia has increased its commitment to sites such as the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
Photos: To boldly go
Space is becoming a priority for several countries across Africa. Ethiopia has increased its commitment to sites such as the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
Hide Caption
8 of 11
South Africa's Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope is one of the world's most ambitious projects to study the universe.
Photos: To boldly go
South Africa's Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope is one of the world's most ambitious projects to study the universe.
Hide Caption
9 of 11
Ghana has established a new space center as part of the country's embrace of advanced technology industries.
Photos: To boldly go
Ghana has established a new space center as part of the country's embrace of advanced technology industries.
Hide Caption
10 of 11
Egypt has one of the continent's oldest space programs, having launched several satellites aboard Russian rockets.
Photos: To boldly go
Egypt has one of the continent's oldest space programs, having launched several satellites aboard Russian rockets.
Hide Caption
11 of 11
model astronautNigeriaSat-1: Launched 2003nigeria china rocket teaseNigeriaSat-2Gulf Mexico after KatrinaN2-and-NX-under-testnigerian engineersGettyImages-485152614ska telescope 2ghana space centerEGYPT SATELLITE
<