Successfully Launches the Samarkand-2028 Hyperspectral Satellite into Orbit
2026-08-05 08:40:00 / News of ministry
Today, August 5, STAR.VISION successfully launched the Samarkand-2028 and Lampung-1 hyperspectral satellites from a sea-based launch platform off the coast of Shandong Province, China.
The mission marks one of the largest international space projects in Uzbekistan's history and represents a significant milestone in the country's national space program. It also further strengthens scientific and technological cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.
As part of the project, specialists from the Uzbekcosmos Agency developed an artificial intelligence module that enables hyperspectral data to be processed directly onboard the satellite. This capability significantly improves the efficiency of data transmission and analysis while expanding the practical application of AI in space technologies.
The Samarkand-2028 satellite will support a wide range of applications, including agriculture, environmental protection, natural resource management, water resource monitoring, emergency response, and urban planning by providing advanced hyperspectral Earth observation data.
The satellite's name carries symbolic significance, reflecting Samarkand's selection as the host city of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2028, following the decision adopted by the International Astronautical Federation during the Congress held in Sydney in 2025.
The successful launch represents another important step in expanding Uzbekistan's presence in the global space community, strengthening national engineering capabilities, and advancing international cooperation in artificial intelligence and space technologies.
The launch can be viewed live at:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/wrJzZe_G9wk?feature=shared
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7490552641425465344/theater/