On September 27, 2003, Nigeria launched its first satellite, called 'NigeriaSat-1 worth $13 million. The satellite was launched aboard a Russian Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. NigeriaSat-1 was part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) and was designed for environmental and disaster monitoring to help with agricultural planning, desertification, and flood management.
Built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in the United Kingdom, NigeriaSat-1 had a five-year lifespan but remained functional until 2011. This launch marked Nigeria's entry into space technology and symbolised its growing ambitions in science and technology.
NigeriaSat-1 was later followed by other Nigerian satellites, such as NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X. All these further expanded Nigeria's interest and presence in space.
Other key events on this day
1. Taliban took over Kabul and established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - 1996
2. Black leaders protested discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces - 1940
3. Warsaw Poland, surrendered to Germans after 19 days of resistance - 1939
4. U.S. recognised Nationalist Chinese government - 1928
5. John Adams negotiated Revolutionary War peace terms with Britain - 1779
6. Prophet Muhammad completed his Hegira, or "flight," from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution - 622
7. US President, Franklin Roosevelt appealed to Adolf Hitler for peace - 1938
8. The Axis powers were formed as Germany, Italy and Japan became allies with the signing of the Tripartite Pact in Berlin - 1940
9. Constantine I of Greece abdicated in favour of his son, George II, after a military revolt - 1922
10. American rapper, Lil Wayne was born - 1982
11. Earthquake in the Gulf of Chihli near China, reportedly killed 100,000 people - 1290
12. Canadian sprinter, Ben Johnson was disqualified from the Seoul Olympics - 1988
13. Gunmen hijacked a school bus in Abia, kidnapped 15 schoolchildren, and demanded a $130,000 ransom - 2010.
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