In the modern world, the space industry is one of the most dynamic and promising sectors that can ensure the successful development of the state. It allows not only to conduct fundamental scientific research, but also to solve practical problems in the interests of the economy, defense, security, ecology, agriculture, urban planning and emergency situations. Space technologies provide unique opportunities for obtaining objective, fast and high-precision information about the state of the Earth's surface, natural resources and anthropogenic processes, which helps to make effective and informed management decisions.

The development of space activities in the Republic of Uzbekistan is considered an important factor in sustainable socio-economic growth, increasing the country's scientific and technical potential, strengthening its defense capabilities and enhancing its international reputation. The Agency for Space Research and Technologies ("Uzbekkosmos") is the main state body responsible for the revival of the national space industry, the integration of advanced space and geoinformation technologies into all spheres of society, and the formation of Uzbekistan's competitive advantages at the regional and global levels.

The mission of the Agency is to open up new horizons in space activities through innovative solutions, the use of competitive advantages and active international cooperation. The Agency's vision includes the creation of a professional and cohesive team of specialists, the popularization of space technologies, the formation of a full-fledged space cluster, as well as the creation, launch and operation of its own telecommunication satellites and high-precision Earth remote sensing satellites.

Prerequisites for the establishment of the Agency: A retrospective look at space activities in Uzbekistan

The roots of space research in independent Uzbekistan date back to the early 1990s. In February 1993, by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State Agency for Space Research of Uzbekistan (staff number - 20 people) was established under the Cabinet of Ministers. This step marked the first systematic efforts to develop the space sector in the young republic.

In July 1995, an agreement was signed between the Government of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on the creation of an International Radio Astronomical Observatory on the Suffa Plateau (Zamin District, Jizzakh Region). Unfortunately, due to insufficient funding, the project has not yet been completed, but it retains its scientific significance.

In September 2002, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the initial Uzbekcosmos Agency was liquidated. In its place, the Space Research Center (staff number - 12 people) was established under the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which included the Institute of Astronomy of the Academy of Sciences, the Research Institute of Space Instrumentation (Tashkent), the Kompozit Experimental and Testing Plant (Chirchik) and the above-mentioned observatory on the Suffa Plateau.

In the period from 2002 to 2017, activity in the field of cosmonautics significantly decreased: serious scientific research almost stopped, international cooperation decreased, material and technical infrastructure became obsolete, and specialized organizations were repeatedly reorganized and reduced.

A new impetus for the development of the industry was given in 2017. In May, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Aerospace Scientific and Industrial Corporation in Beijing (China). In October, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Head of the Roscosmos State Corporation D. Rogozin visited, during which issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed. In December 2017, the President’s Address to Parliament emphasized the strategic importance of introducing aerospace technologies into leading sectors of the economy and the need to create a separate state body for aerospace activities. The President instructed to attract foreign investors, form the ground and production infrastructure of the national space infrastructure on the principles of public-private partnership, as well as strengthen the potential of research institutions.

The “Roadmap” of the State Program “Year of Active Entrepreneurship, Innovative Ideas and Technologies”, approved by Presidential Decree in January 2018, provided for the creation of the aerospace industry as a new sector of the national economy. In February 2018, a working commission (11 people) was established by the President’s instruction to prepare specific proposals and draft regulatory legal acts.

Preparatory work continued in 2018–2019: visits of Russian, French and other delegations took place, the first cooperation agreements were signed with France (CNES), India (ISRO) and Russia (“Roscosmos”), as well as with the CIS countries and South 

Protocols were signed with Korea.

Establishment and legal basis of the Agency

On August 30, 2019, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-5806 “On the development of space activities in the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the Agency for Space Research and Technologies (“Uzbekcosmos”) under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan was officially established (initial staff number - 37 people). At the same time, the Department of Satellite Communication Technologies under the Main Department for the Development of Telecommunications Infrastructure of the Ministry for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications was liquidated. A Scientific, Technical and Expert Council was established under the Agency with the participation of representatives of key ministries and departments.

In September 2019, the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the structure and Charter of the Agency, its legal status was determined as a legal entity in the form of a state institution (with a seal, name, treasury and bank accounts, including accounts in foreign currency).

Main stages of development of the Agency

Since its establishment, the Agency has gone through an intensive path of institutional formation and expansion of activities.

2019–2020 - the stage of forming a regulatory framework and establishing international relations. Agreements were signed with Kazakhstan ("Kazkosmos"), cooperation with France, India, Russia and South Korea continued.

2021 — Actively develop cooperation with higher education institutions of Uzbekistan (Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Tashkent State Transport University, Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan, Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, Inha University in Tashkent, etc.) and foreign higher education institutions (University of Padua, Moscow Aviation Institute). The international conference "Discovery Day Uzbekistan" was held with the participation of representatives of Maxar Technologies, Esri and SpaceX (USA).

2022 — Expanding educational and scientific exchanges: the working group visited the Institut supérieur de l'aéronautique et de l'espace (ISAE-SUPAERO) in France, an international seminar on drought information systems (ESCAP and UNOSAT) was held in Almaty, and for the first time an international competition of NASA programs was organized in Uzbekistan.

2023 — significant strengthening of the educational component: sending schoolchildren to study in Turkey (Gökmen Uzay Havacılık Eğitim Merkezi), holding the NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon in Tashkent, advanced training of specialists in Kazakhstan, organizing seminars and trainings with experts from GEOBOX (USA), Data+ International (Kazakhstan), ISAE-SUPAERO, Airbus Defense & Space (France), Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, ESRI (USA) and Hexagon (Sweden).

2024 — peak of activity in the field of space education and popularization. Three new curricula on geoinformation systems were developed, internships were held for students of leading universities, CanSat mini-satellite competitions, summer space camps (Cosmic Camp, Space Camp), NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathons, events within the framework of the International Space Week ("Space Fest", "UniSat 3.0"), Cosmonautics Day, forums and exhibitions were held. New memorandums of cooperation were signed with PDP University and other institutions. It was widely covered in the media and social networks. An exposition dedicated to the activities of the Agency was installed in the Museum of the History of Communications.

In subsequent years, the Agency continued to work on creating a national space infrastructure, developing a state program for the development of the space sector until 2035, preparing for the launch of its satellites, and training the first Uzbek cosmonaut.

Main areas of activity of the Agency

The Agency implements a unified state policy in the field of space research and technology. The main activities include:

- creation of favorable conditions and mechanisms for the effective implementation of space activities and the use of their results;

- management and development of subordinate organizations and enterprises;

- support of the country's economic sector, strengthening of defense capabilities and ensuring national security;

- integration of space technologies into various spheres of state administration;

- development of the commercial potential of the industry and formation of a space cluster.

Particular attention is paid to the use of remote sensing data and geoinformation systems in monitoring ecology, agriculture, forestry, geology, emergency situations and other areas. In 2024, more than 100 thousand potential violations and anomalies were identified in the country using satellite data. Starting from 2025, the Earth 

The use of satellite data has become mandatory by law in a number of sectors of the economy.

International cooperation

International cooperation is one of the priority areas of the Agency's activities. Agreements and memorandums have been signed with Roscosmos (Russia), CNES and Airbus Defense and Space (France), ISRO (India), MSIT (South Korea), Kazakhstan Garish Saparı (Kazakhstan), as well as Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, Esri, SpaceX (USA), Hexagon (Sweden), STAR.VISION (China) and other leading space agencies and organizations.

The Agency actively participates in the activities of the United Nations (ESCAP, UNOSAT), the Organization of Turkic States, ICESCO, holds joint seminars and trainings, and sends specialists and talented young people abroad for studies and internships. Negotiations are underway to create satellite groups and launch national devices, including in cooperation with SpaceX and other international partners.

Implemented projects, achievements and infrastructure creation

Over the years of activity, dozens of important projects have been implemented:

- Holding NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathons (2023–2024, approximately 170 young people participated in 2024);

- Organization of CanSat mini-satellite competitions with the participation of hundreds of students and schoolchildren, including the final stages and international ICESCO events;

- Summer space camps (“Space Camp”, “Cosmic Camp”, “Mission Moon”) involving hundreds of participants, including schoolchildren from Uzbekistan and other Turkic countries;

- Development of a training manual on the creation and testing of CanSat mini-satellites;

- conducting scientific and methodological seminars, trainings and practical training courses for specialists from ministries, departments and enterprises;

- holding thematic exhibitions, forums, open days, Model UN in space, chess tournaments with robotic devices and other educational events;

- setting up an exposition in the Museum of the History of Communications;

- wide coverage of the space topic in the national media and social networks.

The agency is actively working on the creation of ground infrastructure: control centers, data reception and processing systems, test complexes. Preparations are underway to launch the first national satellites, including the scientific 6U CubeSat "Mirzo Ulugbek" (planned for launch in 2028) and ultra-high-resolution (0.3 meters per pixel) Earth remote sensing satellites.

The Agency's role in the development of the economy, science, technology and education

"Uzbekkosmos" plays a system-building role in the integration of space technologies into the real economy. Satellite monitoring data is used to increase the efficiency of agriculture, rational use of water and land resources, control forest areas, geological exploration, forecast emergency situations, and ensure state defense and security.

In the field of science and education, the Agency, in collaboration with the country's leading universities, has developed bachelor's and master's programs in the field of "Remote sensing of the Earth and geoinformation technologies", organized internships for hundreds of students, and improved the skills of thousands of specialists. Through competitions, camps and hackathons, young people are being interested in STEM subjects, and the foundation for the future human resources of the space industry is being laid.

Current status and development prospects

Today, the Uzbekcosmos Agency is a dynamically developing state body with an extensive international cooperation network, an active educational and scientific-practical agenda. The development of a national space program until 2035 continues, which envisages three main directions: the development of data and applications, the creation of a full-fledged space infrastructure (ground and space segments), and the training of highly qualified personnel, including the first Uzbek cosmonaut.

The prospects include the launch of groups of national satellites, the creation of a "Space City" for holding major international events (planned for 2028), further expansion of the use of space technologies in public administration and the economy, strengthening the country's technological sovereignty and increasing its role in the global space community.

The Agency for Space Research and Technologies is confidently leading the Republic of Uzbekistan on the path to the development of outer space and turning the space sector into a powerful driver of the country's innovative, sustainable and comprehensive development - for the benefit of present and future generations.