Title: Prospects of siting a spaceport in Africa

Authors: Sesugh Nongo; Ngunan M. Ikpaya; Ikpaya Ikpaya

Addresses: National Space Research and Development Agency, Obasanjo Space Centre, Km 17 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Expressway, Abuja, Nigeria ' National Space Research and Development Agency, Obasanjo Space Centre, Km 17 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Expressway, Abuja, Nigeria ' Centre for Satellite Technology and Development, National Space Research and Development Agency, Obasanjo Space Centre, Km 17 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Expressway, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: Most communication satellites which drive the economy of the world today are launched and positioned on the equatorial orbit, which has the same rotational period as the Earth. Geographically, Africa is centrally positioned on the globe and is therefore a viable location for missions that require a direct launch into prograde orbit, as it can leverage this rotation to reduce the total energy required for launch. The global space launch services market is projected to reach US$30.2 billion by 2025, a 15% compound annual growth rate. This growth is significantly driven by a rise in space exploration activities, large scale investments by governments and private firms and increase in demand of small satellites and constellations. The African space industry players ought to adopt strategies to revive their existing spaceports or establish new ones to draw from the huge economic benefits of the growing market.

Keywords: African spaceport; launch system; satellite technology; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASSE.2021.114151

International Journal of Aerospace System Science and Engineering, 2021 Vol.1 No.1, pp.35 - 54

Received: 10 Mar 2020
Accepted: 30 Sep 2020
Published online: 09 Apr 2021 *