The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), says it has concluded plans to release high resolution satellite images, to relevant stakeholders.
Dr Felix Ale, Director, Media and Corporate Communications of the Agency, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that the effort is in line with the provisions outlined in NASRDA’s Act of 2010.
Ale said that NASRDA was irrevocably committed to its mandate, in the utilisation of space science and technology for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“NASRDA is committed to playing its part in the global community, as a member of the disaster monitoring constellation.
“This initiative aims to foster accessibility to valuable geospatial data, for diverse applications and research endeavours, which comprises satellite images,” he said.
The images, according to Ale, have a range of resolution on both panchromatic and multi spectral as well as spectral bands of 2.1 metres.
“On the multi spectral, the resolution of the images include, 5metres, 8metres, 10metres , 16metres, as well as 30metres, with the spectral bands in blue, green, red, and near infrared,” he explained.
Ale highlighted that the satellite images are not for commercial purposes and recipients are not allowed to request for satellite images exceeding a spatial extent of 50km² at a time.
He also said, students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity, to request for satellite images for their research and projects.
However, the director urged individuals seeking satellite imagery to include a summary of their project in their request.
“The request should consist of a brief, detailing the project’s title, state, local government and town.”
“While application type can be in environment studies, climate, urban planning, natural resource management and several others,” Ale explained.
The agency, therefore, invites interested parties and stakeholders to submit their inquiries to the Director-General of the agency, via email to geodata@nasrda.gov.ng.
“Request submissions must also include a shapefile for the area of interest, utilising the Geographic Coordinate System with WGS84 Datum,” Ale added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASRDA over the years, had worked in collaboration with security and emergency management agencies in providing imagery to address national issues.
Panchromatic digital imaging is an image being sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths of light, typically most of the visible spectrum.
Multispectral imaging captures image data within a specific wavelength which ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum.