Kazakhstan may team up with South Korean company to assemble and export satellites

Kazakhstan is poised to enter the global space technology market. According to the government’s press service, the country could begin producing satellites and their components for export to Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The project is being discussed with South Korea’s CONTEC Space Group, a major player in the country’s space industry. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev visited the company’s satellite assembly and testing complex in Seoul and met with CONTEC Chairman Lee Sung-hee.

The South Korean company is considering investing in Kazakhstan’s Ghalam project, which could involve not only financial participation but also joint satellite assembly, component manufacturing and the development of a ground-station network.

The main outcome of the talks could be the establishment of a full-fledged production hub in Kazakhstan, which would manufacture satellite components for both domestic and international markets. Another possible project is the local production of large antenna arrays.

The parties also propose using artificial intelligence to process satellite imagery, enabling faster analysis of Earth observation data and its use, for example, to monitor agricultural land, natural areas and infrastructure.

CONTEC Space Group comprises CONTEC, Asia Pacific Satellite Corporation and Texas Space Communications. The group supplies on-board computers for South Korean government satellites and operates 17 ground stations in countries including the U.S., Chile, South Africa and Australia.

The South Korean company is set to register a subsidiary in Kazakhstan in the near future. Details of the cooperation are expected to be presented during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to South Korea.