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Uzcosmos: Uzbekistan’s space program prioritizes cost-efficiency and data monitoring
Uzcosmos, Uzbekistan’s space agency, is focused on data monitoring and practical applications rather than rushing into satellite launches, the agency’s representative said at a briefing earlier. Nodirjon Mukimov, head of Uzcosmos’s press service, highlighted the agency’s strategic approach, explaining that an immediate satellite launch could have cost the state millions and offered limited effectiveness.
Uzcosmos currently emphasizes the "Downstream" sector, which involves data processing and the application of satellite images for government monitoring purposes. Mukimov clarified that the agency has chosen to start with satellite image analysis, rather than costly satellite launches, to better serve Uzbekistan's infrastructure and economic needs.
“At this point, launching a satellite isn’t feasible to accomplish in just a week given Uzbekistan’s context,” Mukimov said. “We chose to understand the market's needs first. Instead of investing millions in a satellite that might be underutilized, we opted to prioritize initiatives that directly benefit sectors such as agriculture, water management, and land use.”
Mukimov outlined the three main sectors of the space industry: Upstream, which focuses on satellite and rocket launches; Midstream, dealing with communication systems between space and Earth; and Downstream, which centers on data processing and innovative technologies. Uzcosmos has placed particular importance on the Downstream sector to maximize value and efficiency.
The agency’s current work includes a comprehensive state space monitoring system that delivers precise, satellite-based information for economic sectors. This system has already provided critical insights in fields such as agriculture, environmental management, and geology. Mukimov emphasized the impact of satellite monitoring, saying, “Before, we looked from the ground up; now, Uzcosmos is looking from the sky down.”
Uzcosmos has also launched a Space Monitoring and Geo-Information Technology Center to advance these efforts. Through partnerships with foreign space agencies, the center provides critical data that enables Uzbekistan to monitor and manage resources such as farmland, water, and forests, identifying issues like land encroachment and illegal excavations for timely corrective actions.
Mukimov concluded by noting that Uzcosmos’s data-driven approach represents one of the agency’s most significant accomplishments, allowing Uzbekistan to leverage space technology for practical, impactful solutions across various sectors.
