UK-built Satellite for Nigerian Space Agency takes nice photos, needs your bank account details

[Wiggles]

[QUOTE=BBC]The most powerful UK-built imaging spacecraft ever sent into orbit has been demonstrating its capability. Its first pictures since being launched in August show Salt Lake City in the US - its airport and surrounding roads.

The satellite, built for the Nigerian space agency (NASRDA), can acquire images that resolve details on the ground that are just 2.5m across. Called NigeriaSat-2, the platform will be used by the African nation to map its lands and plan urban development. It will also assist the Disaster Monitoring Constellation. This UK-managed fleet of spacecraft is used to picture regions of the Earth gripped by natural calamities. These might be catastrophic floods or a big earthquake. Images sent down from space will often be critical to organising an effective emergency response.

NigeriaSat-2 was part of a double deal that manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) did with the NASRDA (National Space Research and Development Agency). The second part was to train Nigerian engineers, to help them construct their own Earth observation satellite. This platform, called NigeriaSat-X, was launched on the same Dnepr rocket that took NigeriaSat-2 into orbit a month and a half ago.

Although there are many satellites in operation today - especially with the US military - that can see much finer details than the UK spacecraft, it is the British technology's capability-for-the-price that has put SSTL in a world-leading position. The contract for both Nigerian spacecraft, without launch and insurance costs, was valued at £30m.

"I believe NigeriaSat-2 is the most powerful optical Earth observation satellite ever produced in Britain," said Luis Gomes, the satellite's project manager and the head of Earth observation at SSTL.

"In terms of resolution, capacity and its different modes of operation - I don't think Britain has ever done anything better than this," he told BBC News.

SSTL is now building three satellites for its Chinese customers that will be able to resolve details just a metre across.
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[thumb]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/55638000/jpg/_55638908_n2_salt_lake_overview_final.jpg[/thumb]

Source: [URL="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15098493"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15098493
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Those sneaky Nigerians.

[pg.]

[QUOTE=MasterG;32538082]Why are Nigeria paying for a satellite when they can't even afford basic infrastructure to support their people?[/QUOTE]

it'll help them plan their infastructure

[ZombieDawgs]

I bet the camera on it is so high res, they can zoom in on your card when you're using an ATM!

[demoguy08]

The UK should have made a deal, no delivery unless you make a serious crackdown on your scammers

[Jsm]

[QUOTE=demoguy08;32538286]The UK should have made a deal, no delivery unless you make a serious crackdown on your scammers[/QUOTE]

The scammers may be Nigerian but most of them operate from other countries. A lot of them from the UK in fact.

[mrmr]

I bet the Nigerian princess will buy a hundred.

[mr apple]

Uh, yeah like I'm supposed to believe this article

according to my hotmail, everyone in Nigeria is filthy rich

[carcarcargo]

Nigeria has a space agency?

[Jim_Riley]

[QUOTE=carcarcargo;32538703]Nigeria has a space agency?[/QUOTE]

That's what I was wondering...

[Gundevil]

Best. Title. Ever.

[Nubsy]

Hello Sir or Madam of the British Govermentses.

I am writing today to inform you of the NASRDA's plans for a new satellite installation, we have the funds in our savings account, but unfortunately we are not able to withdraw the required amount. The way to get around this requires us to transfer it to another account through a Government. We are asking you to help us with this, please send us your bank details, we will transfer the funds into your account and then on to our own leaving 10% as a helpers fee.

Lara Gangen
NASRDA President.

[ForestRaptor]

[quote]Called NigeriaSat-2[/quote]
Wow, creative.
Wait, are there two of these?

[Yuluthu]

[QUOTE=Nubsy;32538827]Hello Sir or Madam of the British Govermentses.

I am writing today to inform you of the NASRDA's plans for a new satellite installation, we have the funds in our savings account, but unfortunately we are not able to withdraw the required amount. The way to get around this requires us to transfer it to another account through a Government. We are asking you to help us with this, please send us your bank details, we will transfer the funds into your account and then on to our own leaving 10% as a helpers fee.

Lara Gangen
NASRDA President.[/QUOTE]

Needs more mis-spellings

[Miskav]

[QUOTE=Sir M;32539976]Needs more mis-spellings[/QUOTE]

And random CAPSLOCK words.