Kazakhstan has offered to build satellites for neighboring countries and develop joint Earth observation projects, outlining its ambitions at the International Space Summit in Paris. The proposal reflects the country’s efforts to expand its domestic space industry beyond its historic role as the home of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, DKNews.kz reports.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev presented Kazakhstan’s position, according to the ministry’s announcement. The summit, held at the Grand Palais on September 9–10 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together around 120 foreign delegations.
From Earth observation to satellite manufacturing
Kazakhstan is seeking partnerships in both the use of satellite data and the development of spacecraft. It already operates a spacecraft assembly and testing complex in Astana, the country’s capital.
Madiyev said the aim was to build greater technological independence while remaining open to international cooperation:
“Kazakhstan has a rich history in space: Baikonur was where the era of human spaceflight began. Our task today is to build on that heritage to develop a modern, technologically independent space industry. We are steadily expanding our own capabilities—from Earth observation satellites to the assembly and testing of space hardware—and are ready for partnerships on equal terms, ranging from joint Earth observation projects to building satellites for our regional neighbors.”
One of Kazakhstan’s plans is to establish an international constellation of nine Earth observation satellites by 2030. These spacecraft collect imagery and other data about the Earth’s surface.
The proposed constellation would include six Kazakh satellites and one each from Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria. It could later expand to 14 spacecraft.
Communications satellites are also being upgraded
According to the ministry, Kazakhstan currently operates three Earth observation satellites: KazEOSat-1, KazEOSat-2 and KazSTSat.
Its KazSat-2 and KazSat-3 satellites serve a different purpose, providing communications and broadcasting services across the country. Kazakhstan plans to replace KazSat-3 with a new spacecraft, KazSat-3R.
The Republican Center for Space Communications says KazSat-3’s projected operating life runs through the end of 2029. The replacement is intended to support the continued operation of the national satellite communications system.
Kazakhstan’s launch infrastructure has also reached a milestone. The ministry reported that the Sunkar, also known as Soyuz-5, completed its first successful test launch on April 30, 2026, from the Baiterek complex at Baikonur.
Orbital safety and cooperation on the Paris agenda
The summit’s agenda includes preventing conflict in space, addressing increasingly crowded orbits and space debris, and developing principles for responsible space activity. Participants are also discussing the space economy, lunar and Martian exploration, and ways to involve younger generations in space projects.
Kazakhstan’s delegation plans meetings with international partners on technology exchange and joint projects. The ministry’s announcement does not report newly signed agreements or disclose financial terms.
For more detail on Kazakhstan’s satellite plans, our report on the proposed nine-satellite constellation and the KazSat-3 replacement is available in Russian.
