Key Facts
- Satellite name
- Samarqand-2028
- Partners
- Uzbekcosmos (Uzbekistan) and STAR.VISION Aerospace (China)
- Uzbek role
- Developing onboard AI module for data processing
- Imaging technology
- Hyperspectral imaging
- Expected launch
- May 2026 (target passed, no revised date)
- 2028 event
- International Astronautical Congress in Samarkand
Background
Uzbekistan’s national space agency, Uzbekcosmos, is partnering with China’s STAR.VISION Aerospace to develop a new Earth observation satellite named Samarqand-2028. The Chinese company is responsible for building the satellite itself, while Uzbek specialists are working on an onboard artificial intelligence module that will help process the information the satellite collects.
The spacecraft will use hyperspectral imaging, a technology that can detect features invisible to the human eye. Uzbekcosmos said the satellite could be used to monitor agriculture and the environment, as well as provide information for other parts of the economy. The project could include the creation of national maps showing where cotton and wheat are grown.
Current Status
The satellite was expected to enter orbit in May 2026, but that target passed without a launch. In its latest update, Uzbekcosmos referred only to an upcoming launch and did not provide a revised date. It remains unclear when the satellite will be launched.
In October 2025, Samarkand was selected to host the 2028 International Astronautical Congress. It will be the first time the event, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings for the space industry, has been held in Central Asia.
Potential Impacts
Hosting the congress will bring international attention to Uzbekistan’s space ambitions. Its longer-term impact, however, will depend on whether projects such as Samarqand-2028 help Uzbek specialists develop skills and build technology that can be used inside the country.
The government has identified the space sector as one of the country's emerging high-technology priorities and is using the 2028 congress to showcase those ambitions. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Uzbekistan is also preparing to launch its first domestically developed scientific satellite and has begun a program to train the country’s first astronaut.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the Samarqand-2028 satellite is successfully launched and operated, it could provide valuable data for agriculture and environmental monitoring, potentially leading to national maps of cotton and wheat cultivation. This could support economic planning and resource management.
However, if the launch continues to be delayed, the project’s ability to demonstrate Uzbekistan’s growing space capabilities may be weakened. The success of the AI module and the satellite’s data processing could also influence the development of local expertise and technology.
The 2028 congress may further boost Uzbekistan’s space sector if it attracts international partnerships and investment. Yet, the long-term benefits will depend on whether Uzbek specialists can translate these opportunities into sustainable skills and domestic technology development.
Source: timesca.com
