Prof. Babatunde Rabiu, a Space Physicist, has urged Nigeria, other developing countries to draw inspiration from the Artemis II Moon mission to prioritize investment in science, research and technology.
A Research Director at the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Rabiu was assessing the significance of the recent Artemis II Moon mission by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, on April1.
The Artemis II mission was part of NASA’s broader Artemis programme aimed at returning humans to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. It also sought to lay the foundation for future deep space exploration, including missions to Mars.
Rabiu, also Head of Space Physics Programme, African University of Science and Technology, AUST, described the mission as a scientific milestone and a powerful demonstration of what sustained investment in research could achieve.
“To start with, the mission is a breakthrough, a celebration and a manifestation of human intelligence. It shows cutting-edge research at its peak and reflects years of deliberate investment and planning,” he said.
According to him, the mission is not a sudden achievement but the outcome of nearly a decade of structured work that began around 2017.
“Artemis II did not just happen overnight, it is the product of long-term research, carefully planned and executed.
“The Orion capsule and other technologies involved have been under development for years,” he explained.
He said the programme was built on the success of Artemis I, an uncrewed mission inaugurated in 2022 to test the spacecraft and other systems in deep space before human involvement.
“That mission went to the Moon for exploration without humans and returned successfully and has paved the way for Artemis II, which now involves human participation,” he said.
The expert clarified that the objective of the mission was not primarily to establish human settlement on the Moon but about advancing space exploration capabilities.
“The Moon, based on current knowledge, cannot support human life for long periods except in controlled environments. Astronauts can go, stay briefly in enclosed systems and return,” he said.
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He explained that one of the key goals of the mission was to test the reliability and performance of the Orion capsule in carrying humans beyond low Earth orbit.
“It is about testing the technology, understanding the Moon better and conducting experiments, including studying its atmosphere and environment,” he said.
Rabiu further highlighted that the mission achieved notable milestones, including diverse crew representation and participation across U.S., thereby showing important milestone and inclusivity for humanity.
He also said that the mission involved humans traveling beyond the Moon and capturing rare images of both the Earth and the Moon from deep space.
Beyond its scientific and symbolic significance, Rabiu stressed that Nigeria and other developing nations should be spurred to action as the takeaways.
He urged African countries to see the mission as proof that no nation had the monopoly on space exploration.
“It should inspire us to realise that these things are possible, and we can also rise beyond our current level if we take science and technology seriously,” he said.
According to him, the global excitement surrounding the mission highlights the universal nature of science and its power to unite humanity.
“Science is universal and you cannot separate science from humanity and the enthusiasm we are seeing worldwide shows that people are eager to be part of such progress,” he said.
He called on Nigerian leaders, policymakers and investors to seize the moment by strengthening local institutions and supporting research-driven development.
“We must empower our institutions and support the right people; this is not the time for rhetoric or political jamboree. It requires serious commitment and resources,” he said.
Rabiu emphasized that space technology had practical applications for developing countries, particularly in areas such as security, communication and environmental monitoring.
“We can use space technology to improve national security through accurate data and surveillance; these are benefits we cannot ignore,” he said.
He added that achieving such progress required collaboration across sectors, including scientists, engineers, journalists and policymakers.
“Many people contributed to the success of Artemis II, including those who advocated funding and used the media to push for action, it goes beyond science alone.
“We must draw inspiration from this and change our direction, if others can do it, we can do even greater things and we must act now,” he said.
NAN
