Kazakhstan Eyes International Satellite Constellation Of Up To 14 Spacecraft

ASTANA, Sept 7 (Bernama-Qazinform) -- Kazakhstan plans to establish an international Earth observation satellite constellation comprising nine spacecraft by 2030, with the potential to expand it to 14 satellites, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence Zhaslan Madiyev said, Qazinform News Agency reported.

Kazakhstan has already reached agreements with three countries — Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria — to participate in the Earth observation project.

“By 2030, we plan to create an international constellation of nine satellites for Earth observation. It will include six satellites from Kazakhstan, as well as satellites from Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.

“We are open to cooperation with new partners and see the potential to expand the constellation to 14 satellites,” Madiyev said at the Space Days Kazakhstan international forum.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is developing a replacement for the KazSat-3 communications satellite, known as KazSat-3R.

The new spacecraft is intended to ensure the continued stable operation of the country’s national satellite communications system and meet modern technological requirements.

Madiyev also highlighted the development of Kazakhstan’s space engineering capabilities.

A spacecraft assembly and testing facility is operating in Astana, enabling the country to assemble satellites, conduct key tests, strengthen its domestic engineering capacity and participate in international manufacturing projects.

Earlier, Qazinform reported that Kazakhstan had earmarked more than US$10 billion for the new KazSat-3R communications satellite.

-- BERNAMA-QAZINFORM