Shanghai SpaceSail to Deliver Satellite Internet in Kazakhstan

Shanghai SpaceSail, a Chinese low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operator, has conducted a successful test of the satellite internet service in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. The test, observed by company specialists who traveled to the country, recorded connection speeds of up to 200 Mbps, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. The trial demonstrated the strong potential of Shanghai SpaceSail’s technology, which is designed to provide stable, high-speed internet access even in remote and hard-to-reach areas, regions where traditional fiber-optic infrastructure is not feasible due to economic or technical constraints. Kazakhstan’s partnership with Shanghai SpaceSail aims to address digital inequality by connecting rural schools, healthcare facilities, and critical infrastructure to reliable broadband services. The initiative is expected to significantly expand access to telecommunications and improve the quality of life in underserved communities. A Kazakh delegation recently visited Shanghai SpaceSail’s headquarters in Shanghai to observe the company’s technological solutions and satellite production process. Shanghai SpaceSail plans to officially begin operations in Kazakhstan in 2026. The company is currently expanding its global footprint and is reportedly in negotiations with over 30 countries. It aims to have more than 648 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025 and 15,000 by 2030.

Uzbekistan Deploys Space Technology to Combat Environmental Violations

Uzbekistan’s Prosecutor General’s Office and the national space agency, Uzbekkosmos, have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening environmental protection through the use of space-based technologies. According to Uzbekkosmos, the agreement facilitates the exchange of information and the use of satellite tools to monitor environmental conditions and investigate violations. The initiative will integrate aerospace technologies into environmental inspections, preliminary investigations, and monitoring activities, leveraging the State Space Monitoring System to provide more accurate and transparent data. The partnership outlines joint actions to detect and prevent a range of ecological infractions, including the reduction of green spaces, illegal tree felling, unauthorized use of forest lands, and illicit construction activities. The agreement also targets illegal excavation, particularly in riverbeds and protected water zones. The authorities will monitor compliance with regulations on riverbed cleaning and bank reinforcement, identifying any unauthorized digging operations. Satellite data will further be used to assess the volume of materials extracted from mines, monitor compliance with waste storage regulations, and detect illegal dumping sites. The initiative also addresses post-harvest practices, such as the burning of crop residue, which negatively affects air quality and soil health. Officials believe the partnership will enhance environmental oversight, promote public awareness, and improve the efficiency of ecological inspections. It is also expected to foster a stronger culture of environmental responsibility across the country. This initiative follows President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s 2024 ratification of Uzbekistan’s accession to the Outer Space Treaty, which governs the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. Originally signed in 1967 by the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States, the treaty now includes 115 ratifying countries, with 22 additional signatories yet to ratify.