Space engineer wants NASRDA to develop human capacity

A Space Engineering expert, Prof. Spencer Onuh, has urged the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to develop human capacity on emerging technologies.

Onuh made the recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), saying that there are enough scientists in the space science technology circle with the capacity to design satellites of choice, except in emerging technologies.

He, however, said that building satellites required artificial intelligence, big data, robotics and other forms of emerging technology.

“We have done well in human capacity, I have the confidence that if you challenge our scientists, they can produce any type of satellite you want them to produce.

“We are now talking about artificial intelligence, big data and it is an issue in every area of life and we don’t have personnels in these areas adequately yet.

“Space programme is all about emerging technologies, if you give a contract for your satellite to be designed and built by another country, that’s coding and whatever they put there, they can get it out.

“If they build the satellite for you, as the satellite is in space, they can be tapping it without your knowledge because you are not the one that coded it,’’ he added.

Onuh also said space development required continuous learning, adding that there is room for more human capacity development in Software Engineering, hence being proactive for the development of the sector.

He said the country needed to tell its stories more in terms of space science engagements, its usefulness, as well as building more capacity and developing critical infrastructure.

“I believe geographically, nature has placed us at an advantage to have a centre for rocketry launch, so we should explore our advantage.

“We can manufacture our satellites, we should go for modular assembly, integration and test centre, not the bogus ones, but modular, small, useful and functional that is not that expensive,’’ Onuh said.