Nigeria has launched satellites and has plans to put an African astronaut into space. Earth is seen behind the International Space Station from Space Shuttle Discovery as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation in this photo taken Sept. 8, 2009. (NASA/Reuters)

Coming soon: Nigerians in space?

Nigeria's space agency is no joke. It has launched satellites and aims to put Africans into space.

By Katrina Manson — GlobalPost
Published: October 30, 2009 06:25 ET

LONDON, U.K. — Recently I received an email labeled "Strictly Confidential" from Dr. Bakare Tunde, who said he was astronautics project manager at Nigeria’s space agency. He also told me he was the cousin of the first African in space, Air Force Major Abacha Tunde, and that this poor intrepid astronaut had been stranded on a secret Soviet military station ever...

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