Uzbekistan has taken a major step toward becoming a spacefaring nation, launching the development of its first national scientific satellite and preparing to send its first astronaut into orbit within the next few years.

Uzbekistan has begun building an engineering corps and training specialists for the 6U CubeSat satellite project named “Mirzo Ulugbek,” scheduled for launch in 2028. The satellite will support advanced scientific research and mark a historic milestone for the country’s space ambitions, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

At the same time, preparations are underway to train Uzbekistan’s first national astronaut for a planned mission lasting 10 to 14 days. The mission will focus on key scientific fields, including medicine, biology, agriculture, and materials science. Researchers plan to conduct experiments on remote medical diagnostics, test the effectiveness of locally developed medicinal extracts, and study plant genetics to develop drought- and salt-resistant crops-critical for Uzbekistan’s climate.

The mission will also explore closed agricultural biosystems and test innovative materials designed to improve heat retention and dissipation, potentially benefiting both space exploration and industries on Earth.

Uzbekistan is further strengthening its position in the global space community by considering hosting the prestigious International Astronautical Congress in the historic city of Samarkand in 2028. Leading space agencies and organizations from the United States, Europe, China, India, Russia, and other countries have already expressed interest in participating.