CSTD to Produce Satellites Locally

Center for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) has announced plans to ensure that satellites and other space technologies are designed and manufactured in Nigeria.

Dr Spencer Onuh, director, CSTD, said at the three day conference in Abuja to mark the centre’s week that it “is ready to indigenously design and manufacture satellites in Nigeria if challenged with the right climate of operations.

Some engineers and scientists from other countries that were trained in SSTL along with our engineers and scientists have successfully designed and manufacture satellites in their own countries.

“This is because they were provided with a functional Design Centre, Assembly Integrated and Testing facilities (DC/AIT).

“We have products which as a result of our in-depth knowledge and training are very useful to other agencies. So we believe that Nigeria is not reaping the benefits of space technology yet.

“Space technology remains the driving force behind most developed economies. It is the driving force for terrestrial technology and it provides security, telecommunications and urban planning.”

He commended the effort of the federal government for funding the space program adding that the “roadmap” was on course and CSTD management and staffs were ready to achieve the centre’s mission as approved by the Federal Executive Council.