The international forum Space Days Kazakhstan 2026 has started in Astana.
The international forum Space Days Kazakhstan 2026 has officially kicked off in Astana at Nazarbayev University, bringing together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, space agencies, the scientific community, technology companies, and investors.
The forum focuses on the international space agenda, emerging space industry technologies and their applications for sustainable development, as well as the advancement of global cooperation in the space sector.
The forum opened with a Plenary Session. The participants were welcomed by Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“Three key priorities – data, technology, and people – will enable Kazakhstan to develop competitive space products and services. This is precisely why we initiated the Space Days Kazakhstan international forum. The forum is only beginning its journey, and we expect it to deliver practical outcomes, concrete agreements, and new joint projects. We intend to make Space Days Kazakhstan a regular international platform, steadily expanding its scale and strengthening its standing within the global space community,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Minister also emphasized that, for Kazakhstan, space should serve the interests of all humanity and remain a platform for peaceful cooperation, bringing countries together around shared goals and benefiting nations and peoples around the world. At the same time, space technologies should have practical applications, contribute to economic development, improve the efficiency of public administration, and enhance citizens’ quality of life.
According to him, Kazakhstan plans to establish an international Earth observation constellation of nine satellites by 2030. It will include six Kazakh satellites, as well as spacecraft from Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s openness to cooperation with new partners and noted the possibility of expanding the constellation to 14 satellites in the future.
In addition, Kazakhstan is working to replace the KazSat-3 satellite with a new spacecraft, KazSat-3R. This will help ensure the resilience of the national satellite communications system and bring it in line with modern technological requirements.
On the first day of Space Days Kazakhstan 2026, panel sessions will focus on key areas of space industry development. Participants will discuss the role of satellite communications in ensuring the country’s digital sovereignty, the development of services based on satellite infrastructure, and the use of satellite data for water resource management.
Particular attention will be given to the use of artificial intelligence onboard space systems, the development of cooperation among regional space agencies, current challenges, and prospects for international cooperation.
The forum will also address the development of international space tourism and the future prospects of the global space industry.