# NigeriaSat 2

> Nigerian Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q925863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q925863)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nigeriasat-2

## Summary  
NigeriaSat 2 is a Nigerian Earth observation satellite launched in 2011 to provide high-resolution imagery for environmental monitoring, agricultural management, and disaster response. Built by Surrey Satellite Technology, it operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit and was deployed using a Dnepr rocket.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 17, 2011, at 07:12:20 UTC.  
- **Manufacturer**: Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL).  
- **Country**: Nigeria.  
- **Mass**: 300 kg (launch weight).  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Dnepr (rocket serial number 450-3261-319).  
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2011-044B.  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: SSTL-300.  
- **Launch Site**: Dombarovsky, Russia.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was NigeriaSat 2 launched?  
A: NigeriaSat 2 was launched on August 17, 2011, at 07:12:20 UTC.  

### Q: What was the purpose of NigeriaSat 2?  
A: The satellite was designed for Earth observation, supporting applications such as environmental monitoring, agricultural planning, and disaster management through high-resolution imagery.  

### Q: Who built NigeriaSat 2?  
A: It was manufactured by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), a UK-based company.  

## Why It Matters  
NigeriaSat 2 represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s space program, demonstrating the country’s investment in space technology for national development. As part of a series of Earth observation satellites, it enhanced Nigeria’s capability to monitor natural resources, track climate changes, and respond to emergencies. The mission underscored international collaboration in space, combining Nigerian objectives with SSTL’s engineering expertise and Russia’s launch infrastructure. By providing critical data for sustainable development, NigeriaSat 2 contributed to both national and global efforts in environmental management and disaster mitigation.  

## Notable For  
- First Nigerian satellite built using the SSTL-300 bus, designed for high-resolution imaging.  
- Utilized a converted Dnepr rocket (originally an ICBM) for cost-effective launch.  
- Operated in a Sun-synchronous orbit to ensure consistent lighting conditions for imagery.  
- Part of Nigeria’s broader initiative to leverage space technology for socioeconomic growth.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
NigeriaSat 2 was launched on August 17, 2011, at 07:12:20 UTC from the Dombarovsky site in Russia. The Dnepr rocket (serial number 450-3261-319) deployed the satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit, a critical position for consistent Earth imaging.  

### Design and Capabilities  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: The satellite used the SSTL-300 platform, optimized for agile imaging and high-resolution data capture.  
- **Mass**: 300 kg at launch, reflecting its compact design for cost-efficient deployment.  
- **Mission**: Focused on capturing detailed imagery for applications such as crop monitoring, urban planning, and disaster response.  

### Mission Objectives  
NigeriaSat 2 aimed to support Nigeria’s national development goals by providing data for:  
- Environmental monitoring (e.g., deforestation, desertification).  
- Agricultural management (e.g., crop health, yield prediction).  
- Disaster response (e.g., flood mapping, damage assessment).  

### Operational Status  
While the satellite’s exact operational lifespan is not specified in the source material, its design and launch parameters suggest a typical mission duration of several years, common for SSTL-built Earth observation satellites.  

### International Collaboration  
The mission highlighted cooperation between Nigeria, SSTL (UK), and Russia’s launch services, exemplifying the global nature of modern space initiatives.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nigeriasat-2.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report