African space programs are nothing new.
In 1964 Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, high school teacher and self-appointed director of Zambia’s national space program, had the bold ambition of beating the USA and the Soviet Union in the space race, and landing a Zambian on the Moon.
Using unconventional techniques, such as spinning students around a tree in an oil drum, Nkoloso trained 12 astronauts. He was unsuccessful, but in 2014 there was a film released inspired by his efforts.
From CNN. Story by
Fortunately Africa’s space programs now look much more promising. In fact, in the last decade the continent has entered a space race.
Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Algeria have taken a renewed interests in their existing programs, with Ghana and Kenya joining the club, launching their own space projects in the last few years.
Read more at CNN.