Kazakhstan may begin producing satellite components

Kazakhstan and South Korea’s CONTEC Space Group are discussing joint projects in the space industry. These include manufacturing satellites and components, expanding the ground station network, and processing satellite imagery using artificial intelligence.

The talks took place in Seoul during a visit to CONTEC’s assembly and testing complex by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev.

CONTEC is exploring the possibility of investing in the Ғалам project and jointly manufacturing satellites and their components.

A production facility may be established in Kazakhstan to supply products to markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The parties are also considering localising the production of large antenna systems for ground stations.

The investment amount, production capacity, and launch timeline have not yet been disclosed.

Another potential area of cooperation is the use of artificial intelligence to analyse Earth observation data.

AI systems are expected to automatically process satellite imagery and detect changes on the Earth’s surface. Specific use cases and implementation timelines have not yet been announced.

CONTEC Space Group comprises CONTEC, Asia Pacific Satellite Corporation, and Texas Space Communication.

The group manufactures onboard computers for South Korean government satellites and operates 17 ground stations. They are located in Chile, the United States, South Africa, Australia, and other countries.

The next step is expected to be the establishment of a CONTEC subsidiary in Kazakhstan. The parties will then continue negotiating the terms of their investment and technology projects.

Further details are expected to be presented during the President of Kazakhstan’s state visit to the Republic of Korea. No production agreements or specific partnership terms have yet been announced.