Kyrgyzstan’s first satellite is set to be launched from California in early October

Today, 24 September, Deputy Prime Minister Erlist Akunbekov inspected Kyrgyzstan’s first satellite, developed by the open joint-stock company ‘Kyrgyz Asman’. The satellite was designed and assembled in Kyrgyzstan for the first time; the project took around 2.5 years to complete. Preparations for the launch are currently underway. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in the first week of October from California, USA.

The satellite will be used primarily in the agricultural sector. The data it provides will enable the monitoring of crop conditions, the assessment of the impact of emergencies, the analysis of agricultural land and pastures, the timely detection of signs of drought, and the preliminary estimation of crop yields. In addition, satellite monitoring will make it possible to track changes in the condition of glaciers, water resources and the environment.

‘Satellite imagery will expand forecasting capabilities in the agricultural sector. It will also be possible to analyse the state of the environment, assess the consequences of emergencies, and monitor glaciers and water resources. However, the satellite will primarily be used for the development of agriculture”, — noted Minister Erlist Akunbekov.

Work is currently underway at Kyrgyz Asman OJSC to assemble the satellite’s main components, install the electronic equipment and test its systems. Once the final preparatory work has been completed, the satellite will be launched into space.

The sole shareholder of OJSC ‘Kyrgyz Asman’ is the Cabinet of Ministers. The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and the Processing Industry exercises the rights of the sole shareholder.