President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation outlining initial efforts to launch an artificial satellite and prepare Uzbekistan’s first cosmonaut.

It was emphasized that global competition has entered a new stage, where economic strength is measured not by natural resources but by intellectual capacity and technological advancement. In this context, space technologies have become one of the most strategically important areas.

Although Uzbekistan began using space data relatively recently, notable practical results have already been achieved. A national space monitoring system has been launched and is operating proactively.

Over the past five years, demand for remote sensing data has tripled. Currently, more than ten government agencies, along with all regional administrations, are utilizing space monitoring data in their work.

“Most importantly, through space data, we are identifying economic opportunities that cannot be seen with the naked eye and transforming them into real sources of revenue. This demonstrates that the mechanism and culture of managing state resources are changing,” the President said.

At the same time, the importance of establishing a long-term, sustainable national space system was also underscored. This includes satellite management, data processing, and the development of infrastructure for practical application. The goal is to ensure the country has a sovereign and objective source of data.

International experience has been studied to date, and technical requirements regarding the accuracy and payload capacity of the future satellite have been defined.

As part of efforts to strengthen the country's scientific and technological capacity, the presentation also reviewed a project to create the nation’s first national scientific satellite. The proposal includes training specialists, forming an engineering team, and launching a 6U-format scientific satellite named “Mirzo Ulugbek” in 2028.

At the initiative of the Head of State, training the first national cosmonaut and sending him into space has been designated as a strategic objective.

“This is not merely a symbolic step, but an expression of our country’s scientific potential, the aspirations of our youth, and our national pride,” the President stated.

It was proposed to prepare the national cosmonaut for a short-term mission lasting 10 to 14 days, and prospects for international cooperation in organizing such a flight were discussed.

It was noted that the mission must be closely linked to the implementation of a clearly defined scientific program. Beyond enhancing Uzbekistan’s international standing, the achievement should contribute to the development of scientific capacity, the emergence of new projects and technological initiatives, and increased interest among young people in science and technology.

Proposed research areas for the Uzbek cosmonaut’s mission include medicine and biology (remote diagnostics and studying the effectiveness of local medicinal extracts), plant genetics (testing drought- and salinity-resistant varieties and models of closed agro-biosystems), and materials science (testing materials, fabrics, and fibers for heat accumulation and management).

The possibility of holding an international space congress in Samarkand in 2028 was also discussed. Leading space organizations from the United States, Europe, China, India, Russia, and other countries have expressed interest in participating.

Officials were instructed to ensure high-level preparations for the international event.

At the conclusion of the presentation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed relevant authorities to thoroughly develop calculations and practical proposals related to satellite projects and the training of a national cosmonaut.