Nigeria launch satellites into space orbit

Nigeria is playing a key role in Africa’s science and technology development by launching two satellites into orbit on Wednesday 17th of August, 2011.
President Jonathan called the event “another milestone in our nation’s effort to solve national problems through space technology”.

In a move aimed at ensuring proper disaster monitoring and security of the West African nation, Nigeria launched NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X in the late afternoon of Wednesday into orbit aboard a Russian Dnepr rocket from a launch pad in the town of Yasny, southern Russia.
President Jonathan congratulated his country’s scientists for being “resourceful” and for putting the West African nation on the world map of technology.
In his words, Jonathan said; “I congratulate our nation for this new chapter in our transformational efforts as we strive for self-reliance. Let me congratulate the resourceful Nigerians who made this history possible.”
Both satellites were built at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in Guildford alongside 26 Nigerian engineers, under contract with the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
In a statement, the government said the two satellites would be used for forestry mapping, disaster monitoring, military applications and security, among other applications.