On April 7, 1983, astronauts took the first spacewalk outside of a space shuttle during mission STS-6. This was the maiden voyage of the space shuttle Challenger. The goal of this mission was to deploy the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-1. NASA now uses a whole fleet of these...

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is set to begin implementing long awaited space regulation and licensing functions following the approval of an NGN 20 billion (~USD 13 million) take-off fund by President Bola Tinubu. NASRDA’s Director-General, Dr Matthew Adepoju...

In a significant step toward technological self-reliance, South Africa is pushing forward with its National Satellite Communication SATCOM Strategy, a collaborative effort between the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies DCDT and the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation...

After numerous delays, Senegal has finally launched its first-ever satellite GAINDESAT-1A into orbit. The feat marks the first stage of the African country’s budding national space program SENSAT. GAINDESAT-1A is an earth observation nano-satellite built by Senegalese engineers and technicians...

On April 6, 1965, NASA launched the world’s first commercial communications satellite into orbit. The satellite was named Intelsat 1 and nicknamed the “Early Bird.” It was built by Hughes Aircraft Company for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT). Early Bird could relay...

According to MENA, the initiative, held under the patronage of Egypt’s Prime Minister, aims to strengthen Africa’s space economy through innovation and collaboration. Africa currently hosts 22 space institutions, with total investments estimated at US$7.7 billion, representing just 1 per cent of the...

The African space industry is rapidly expanding, with increasing satellite launches reflecting a commitment to space exploration. Earlier this week, a space object fragment weighing 500kg fell in a Kenyan village, underscoring the continent’s rising space activity. As of 2022, Africa had launched 52...

Government has developed a national satellite strategy that will be presented to cabinet ministers soon. One of the recommendations is that government should acquire and fully own its own geostationary satellite. The department of communications & digital technologies and the department of...

On April 4, 1968, NASA launched the final uncrewed test flight of its Saturn V rocket. The Apollo 6 mission demonstrated that the Saturn V rocket and Apollo spacecraft were ready to send astronauts into space. On top of the rocket was the Apollo Command and Service Module and a boilerplate version...