Kazakhstan to launch six new Earth observation satellites
Kazakhstan is set to launch six new Earth observation satellites to improve the accuracy of space monitoring, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev said during a government session.
He said the country plans to actively develop its own satellite systems and expand into export markets. Two KazSat satellites currently provide communications services and have already generated 72 billion tenge (approximately $157.9 million) in income. KazSat-3R satellites are planned to replace them by 2029.
In addition, the Earth observation satellite constellation will be expanded with six new satellites, three offering high-resolution imagery and three offering medium-resolution imagery.
«Three satellites are currently operating in the Earth observation system. The economic effect of space monitoring over five years amounted to 977 billion tenge [around $2.14 billion],» the minister said.
Space service for export
Kazakhstan is also implementing three export projects with Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, with an export volume of $70 million. An international constellation of 14 satellites is expected to be established by 2030.
In addition, Kazakhstan plans to establish domestic production of 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.
The South Korean group is considering participating in Kazakhstan’s Ghalam project, which could include joint satellite assembly, component production and the development of a ground-station network. The parties also plan to use AI to process satellite imagery and monitor infrastructure and agricultural land.
The company is expected 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.
