Liberation

by Tade Thompson

A young woman is recruited to be part of Nigeria's first ever space mission, but things go awry when the mission is thrown into chaos.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction, Africa

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2025

About the author

Tade Thompson is a British born Yoruba psychiatrist who is best known for his science fiction novels.

Reviews

[Oleksandr Zholud · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novelette is about the first Nigerian space mission. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for July 2025 at SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group.

This is a story told from multiple points of view about the first fully Nigerian space mission. A group of enthusiasts, backed by oil money, purchases obsolete US, Chinese and russian space stations to unite them into a single unit for a rather short (12 orbits around the planet) symbolic joining the list of countries, whose teams were in space. A bizarre coincidence abruptly halts the mission with astronauts already in space. There is a coup d'état in Nigeria, while one of the astronauts, the security agent, tries to activate an old Soviet weapon left at russian station to cause a fire. An unusual and interesting setup.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even the concept of exploring may not necessarily be an African priority. We just think we should do as our colonial masters did. But why? Do we think this is a marker of development? Like we take on the master’s religion, the Christianity?

I had never thought this on Earth, but I’m thinking it now.

I never considered what it would be like for actively orbiting astronauts of a government that's collapsed - they definitely would be sacrificed.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this story coinciding with the infamous katy perry trip to space is just such a perfect timing.
i love how tade thompson writes about space/aliens and connecting it with politics and the government of nigeria.

[Arimi Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Safe to say this wasn't my cup of tea. It felt like mission impossible, and who hasn't done that. There was a contemporary twist to the tale which I appreciate. However I can't shake the feeling this is a story I've read in science fiction thousands of times before. Not bad for a short story.

Special thanks to Tade Thompson and Reactor for making this free to read online.

Link for those who think this will float their boat here; https://reactormag.com/liberation-tad...

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story, and the aftermath, of an attempt by Nigeria to put astronauts into space. While it initially succeeds, it was done with a limited budget, using left over equipment from other space powers. The strange activities of one astronaut would lead to a disaster, both in space and back in Nigeria, leading to a race to get the astronauts back safely.

[Thia Reads A Lot]

3*
The perspectives are a bit of a mess, but it's still an interesting story.

A man is tasked by the Nigerian government to plan a mission in space, he recruits astronauts, trains them, alway expecting things to fall out. There is a military coup during the mission and he has to find anotger way of bringing his people home. The space station was also damaged and only 2 people come back alive.

[Hana Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing prose. Interesting story about space travel amid political troubles (e.g., a coup stranding astronauts in space). Really enjoyed the writing and will be checking out longer works by this author. Great little piece of historical fiction/alt past that's also sci-fi.

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/liberation-tad...

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story - a great pallet cleanser after a series of long books.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

African Nations in Space

Tade Thompson is a great writer. His African-centric stores do wonders for me. I hope he writes more. The story is possible.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why, but I really hard a hard time getting into this. It's weird, because I really enjoyed the Rosewater trilogy. I just really bounced off of this.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

link: https://reactormag.com/liberation-tad...

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

exceptional storytelling. what a ride!!

[briz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story with an interesting premise: in the near future, the Nigerian government sends its first mission to the international space station. Hijinx ensue. Well, mostly bad hijinx.

I didn't love the writing here - it was way too telegraphic. Had trouble getting into it.

[Sam - Spines in a Line · Rating 4 out of 5]

Available for free on Tor's site, this follows a crew set to be part of Nigeria's first ever space mission. Even though it's a short story, there's still room enough for a slow build, with jumps between the mission and the present-day as some of the members are interviewed by media to determine what really happened. An intriguing and tense read with political undertones.