Zambia's Space Program and Ambitions

Overview

A look at the unique history of Zambia’s ambitious and unconventional space program, led by Edward Mukuka Nkoloso. The story highlights the motivations behind the project, its eccentric training methods, the impact it had on media and public perception, and its lasting symbolism for Zambia and beyond.

The Cold War and the Space Race

• After World War II, the US and Soviet Union became rivals, each seeking dominance in a world with nuclear weapons.
• Their competition extended into space, with both nations racing to achieve new milestones in rocketry and space exploration throughout the early 1960s.
• The Space Race was marked by intense political and public support, resulting in significant funding, rapid technological progress, and global attention.
• The stakes were high, and the achievements of both superpowers set the standards for space exploration.

Zambia’s Entry into the Space Race

• Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, a passionate science teacher, World War II veteran, and political activist, dreamed of establishing a Zambian space program to rival those of the US and Soviet Union.
• While actively involved in Zambia’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule, Nkoloso founded the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy in 1960.
• Nkoloso’s vision included sending Zambian astronauts—whom he called “Afronauts”—to the moon and then to Mars, aiming to beat the superpowers to these achievements.
• The proposed mission involved a specially trained girl, Matha Mwamba, two cats (for companionship and survival testing), and a missionary, with explicit instructions not to impose Christianity on Martians if they did not want it.

Training Methods and Mission Details

• Nkoloso’s training methods were highly unconventional and often dangerous:
  • Recruits were taught to walk on their hands, based on the belief that this was how people would move on the moon.
  • To simulate zero gravity, trainees were placed in oil barrels and rolled down hills, with bumps celebrated as “anti-gravity” experiences.
  • Another exercise involved swinging on ropes and having the rope cut unexpectedly to create a free-fall sensation.
• The planned spacecraft was a 10-ton oil barrel with an air hole, constructed from aluminum and copper, and was to be launched by catapult.
• The astronaut team consisted of 12 teenagers, with Matha Mwamba, the primary candidate for the mission, being only 16 years old.
• The training and mission preparations took place at a secret location outside Lusaka, in an abandoned farmhouse.

Possible Motivations and Impact

• Nkoloso’s motivations may have included:
  • Instilling national pride and elevating Zambia’s status on the world stage.
  • Challenging colonial-era stereotypes about Africans and demonstrating their capability in science and technology.
  • Attracting international media attention to Zambia’s independence and ambitions.
• Some believe the project was a form of satire, parodying the colonial ambitions of Western powers and the seriousness of the superpower space race.
• Nkoloso’s colorful personality and bold claims drew significant media coverage, including articles in Time Magazine and visits from international news crews.
• Even if the project’s seriousness was questioned, it succeeded in capturing public imagination and sparking conversations about Zambia’s place in the world.

Program Decline and Legacy

• The Zambian space program received almost no funding or official support:
  • Nkoloso requested grants from UNESCO and private foreign sources, but only received a small donation from a young Indian boy.
  • The Zambian government clarified that funding requests were not made on its behalf.
• Most of the original recruits eventually left the program:
  • Some disappeared after a night out, others joined different pursuits, and Matha Mwamba stayed home after having a child.
• The mission was never launched, and the program faded without achieving its goals.
• Despite this, Nkoloso maintained his vision and continued to speak about the project until his death in 1989.
• The story of Zambia’s space program remains a symbol of audacity, determination, and the universal human desire to reach for the stars.
• Nkoloso’s efforts, whether serious or satirical, briefly placed Zambia in the global spotlight and challenged the narrative that only the most powerful nations could dream of space exploration.