Overview
Nigeria EduSat-1 was a Nigerian nanosatellite developed by the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in collaboration with Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) under the Birds-1 program. It was Nigeria's first university-built satellite and marked a significant milestone in the nation's space research capabilities.
The satellite was launched into space on 3 June 2017 aboard SpaceX CRS-11 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (LC-39A) and later deployed from the Japanese Kibō module of the International Space Station (ISS). It deorbited and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 13 May 2019.
Background
The development of Nigeria EduSat-1 was part of the Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite Project, also known as the Birds program, initiated by Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT). The program was designed to support non-spacefaring nations in launching their first satellites.
Alongside Nigeria, other participating countries in the Birds-1 fleet included Bangladesh, Ghana, Japan, and Mongolia. All five nations built identical 1U CubeSats, representing their respective countries.
Though Nigeria had previously operated satellites such as NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-2, NigeriaSat-X, NigComSat-1, and NigComSat-1R, none had been constructed domestically—making Nigeria EduSat-1 a national first in indigenous satellite development.
Development and Objectives
Nigeria EduSat-1 was designed and built by students and staff of FUTA, in partnership with NASRDA (National Space Research and Development Agency) and Kyushu Institute of Technology. The project aimed to:
- Train Nigerian engineers and students in satellite technology
- Promote STEM education and public awareness through science outreach
- Perform technology demonstration and earth observation
The satellite was equipped with: - A 0.3-megapixel and a 5-megapixel camera for Earth imaging - A communications system for amateur radio operators - Equipment to transmit songs and poems as part of its cultural outreach - Instruments for measuring atmospheric density at about 400 km altitude
The total cost of development and launch was estimated at $500,000 USD.
Launch and Orbit
- Launch Date: 3 June 2017
- Vehicle: Falcon 9, SpaceX CRS-11
- Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, USA
- Deployment Platform: Japanese Kibō module, ISS
- Orbit Altitude: ~400 km
- Inclination: 51.64°
- Orbital Period: 92.57 minutes
- Speed: 7.67 km/s (4.77 mi/s)
This mission marked the 100th launch from LC-39A and included a reused Dragon spacecraft, showcasing SpaceX’s cost-saving innovations.
Ground Operations
The satellite communicated with seven ground stations, including: - One in each of the five Birds-1 countries - Additional stations in Thailand and Taiwan
The satellite allowed Nigerian operators to practice real-time communication, data analysis, and satellite health monitoring.
Mission End and Legacy
Nigeria EduSat-1 completed its mission in May 2019, with final deorbit occurring on 13 May 2019. It was the second-to-last in the Birds-1 constellation to decay.
Significance:
- Marked Nigeria's first locally built satellite
- Provided hands-on satellite training for students and researchers
- Promoted international collaboration in space technology
- Inspired a new generation of Nigerian space scientists
See Also
- Federal University of Technology Akure(https://futa.edu.ng)
- NASRDA(http://www.nasrda.gov.ng)
- Kyushu Institute of Technology(https://www.kyutech.ac.jp/english/)
- SpaceX CRS-11(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_CRS-11)
- Birds Project Official Website(http://birds1.b