Aka Ekene, PBA Journalism Mentee
Highlights
– The Space War was a competition between the US and the Soviet Union to achieve the most advanced space gear, including artificial satellites, human space flight, unmanned space probes, and other aerospace capabilities.
– NASA was created after the Soviets launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, with the objective of launching a manned vehicle into the earth’s orbit, which the US achieved first, landing on the moon in 1969.
– Africa has played a significant role in space exploration, with South Africa launching the first satellite in Africa in 1999, and 15 African countries launching 53 satellites since then. Only nine satellites were designed, manufactured, and assembled in Africa, and Nigeria has played a significant role in space exploration.
Exploring Space in Africa: Facts You Didn’t Know
Introduction
When we think of space exploration, we often think of the United States and Russia – the two countries that kicked off the space race back in the 1950s. But did you know that African countries have also been involved in space exploration for over two decades? In this article, we’ll delve into some little-known facts about space exploration in Africa.
The Space Race
In the 1950s and 60s, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a fierce competition known as the “space race.” Both countries were vying for supremacy in space exploration, with the ultimate goal of being the first to land humans on the moon. This competition was driven by a number of factors, including national pride, military superiority, and scientific curiosity.
The United States responded to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 by creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the following year. NASA’s first objective was to launch a manned vehicle into the earth’s orbit, and the agency eventually succeeded with the launch of the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission in 1962.
Meanwhile, the Soviet Union was also making progress in space exploration, launching the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space in 1961. But it was the United States that ultimately won the space race by landing astronauts on the moon during the Apollo missions of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
African Involvement in Space Exploration
So where does Africa fit into all of these? While African countries were not major players in the space race, they have been involved in space exploration for over two decades. Here are five facts you might not have known about space exploration in Africa:
1. South Africa launched the first satellite in Africa
In 1999, South Africa became the first African country to launch a satellite into space. The Stellenbosch University satellite (SUNSAT) was designed by Niki Steenkamp, a post-graduate student at Stellenbosch University. The 60kg satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Nebraska, USA.
2. Fifteen countries launched Africa’s 53 satellites
To date, only 15 African countries have launched satellites. Egypt has launched the most satellites in North Africa, while Nigeria leads the way in West Africa. In East Africa, Kenya has launched the most satellites, while South Africa has launched the most satellites on the entire continent.
3. Only nine satellites were designed, manufactured, and assembled in Africa
According to the Space General Advisory Council, only nine of the 41 satellites launched by African countries in 2020 were designed, manufactured, and assembled on the continent. However, NASA is building a new deep-space ground station in South Africa that will come online by 2025. This could help to spur more satellite manufacturing on the continent.
4. Nigeria and Zanzibar played an important role in man’s first trip to the moon
While African countries were not directly involved in the Apollo missions, they have contributed to space exploration in other ways. For example, Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) used the NigeriaSat-X to produce maps of the Sambisa Forest to aid in the fight against insurgency. The NASRDA has also donated thousands of satellite images to Nigerian universities and research institutions.
Conclusion
While Africa’s involvement in space exploration may not be as extensive as that of the United States or Russia, it is still an impressive achievement. African countries have launched dozens of satellites and are making strides in space technology. With the help of NASA and other international partners, we may see even more exciting developments.
