ORBITAL BUSINESS

For fifteen years, the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azerkosmos), operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, has been successfully developing the national space industry with a focus on exporting services. In recent years, in partnership with members of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), cooperation in this field has been consistently expanding, new technologies have been introduced, and a regional space hub has been created. New vectors of cooperation among the OTS countries in this field were discussed at the Space Technology Conference (STC 2025) in Baku. The fourth meeting of the OTS space agencies was also held during this event.

Support for joint projects

Recent figures show that the number of objects launched into space has increased significantly over the last five years, surpassing the launch rate seen in the previous six decades. This has led to a thriving global space industry, with an estimated current turnover of approximately $600 billion and the potential to reach $2 trillion over the next decade.

Azerbaijan joined the global space club in February 2013 and has since taken advantage of the financial and technical accessibility of the orbital industry. Following the successful launch of two telecommunications satellites and one low-orbit optical satellite, the country is working closely with regional partners to advance its space industry.

"Currently, the Space Agency of Azerbaijan provides various services to about 50 countries through Azerspace-1 and Azerspace-2 telecommunication satellites. ₼650 of ₼700 million invested in this area has already been received in the form of revenues," said Danai Bedirkhanov, Acting Chairman of the Board of Azerkosmos, speaking at the STC 2025 conference. We are currently preparing for the launch of a new generation of satellite systems. These systems will have enhanced capabilities in high-precision Earth observation, next-generation telecommunication services and regional connectivity.

Today, Azerkosmos is implementing the Azersky 2 programme, the main goal of which is to launch two high-resolution optical satellites in accordance with the new requirements. This programme will enable local specialists to access new knowledge and expertise by working with satellite manufacturers and participating in the process of factory assembly and testing of new systems. To this end, a Spacecraft Integration and Test Centre will be established.

As stated by the head of Azerkosmos, it is extremely challenging to achieve significant progress within the space industry alone. "That is why we are exploring the prospects of new international missions, including joint initiatives with our partners in Türkiye and other countries. The success of our organisation depends on a shared vision and joint efforts, and this is what STC 2025 symbolises: a platform where dialogue turns into action, partnerships are formed and the future of the space industry is jointly created," he added.

The primary objective of the STC 2025 conference in Baku was to encourage collaborative initiatives among the Turkic states in the space sector, to pinpoint potential areas for joint endeavours, and to foster regional innovation and science and technology collaborations. The primary focus of the initiative is on the creation of shared technologies, investments in human capital and peaceful space exploration.

New agreements

The forum was a productive one for Azerkosmos, with approximately two dozen cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with relevant institutions of the Caspian states, Türkiye, China, Central Asian countries, etc.

Azerkosmos and Türksat, Türkiye's satellite telecommunications company, have signed a memorandum of understanding. The aim of this agreement is to expand cooperation in the field of satellite telecommunications, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ICT, and more.

During the forum, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Kazakhstan held consultations on a joint project to develop a CubeSat satellite. The spacecraft's primary function will be to monitor carbon dioxide and methane emissions and collect critical data to combat climate change, thereby enhancing regional environmental protection capabilities. "The CubeSat project, initiated last year within the framework of the OTS, is contributing to the realisation of the region's environmental goals. This endeavour is a promising example of developing regional cooperation," Bedirkhanov stated. We are pleased to announce that, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Nations, we have successfully developed a programme that aims to enhance resilience to climate change through the utilisation of space technologies and data analysis underpinned by geographic information systems. This programme involves the remote sensing of the Earth and environmental monitoring, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address global challenges.

It should be noted that Azerkosmos previously signed memorandums of cooperation with the space agencies of Türkiye, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan regarding Earth surface observation. The OTS countries intend to collaborate in the joint implementation of projects and the sharing of experience in the implementation and regulation of space environmental monitoring and GIS centres. Practical work has already commenced. In 2024, Uzbekkosmos and Azerkosmos signed an agreement to implement a project on primary assessment of soil salinisation using Earth remote sensing data.

At the STC 2025 conference, Azerbaijan proposed the preparation of unified legal norms for the TSOs to regulate common space activities. The model will be developed in accordance with the UN international treaties on outer space. According to Kubanychbek Omuraliyev, Secretary General of the TSG, this proposal will ensure legal clarity, transparency and compliance with international standards of joint endeavours in space activities implemented by Turkic countries.

The participants of the forum expressed their approval of another initiative by Azerbaijan, namely the establishment of the Virtual Space Academy. Bedirkhanov stated that the digital platform, which will be created with the participation of leading universities, will expand educational opportunities for the region's talented youth and strengthen Azerbaijan's position as a centre for space education and innovation in the future. "These programmes will help engage youth and professionals in meaningful learning and skills development, contributing to our broader goal of increasing public interest and competence in space sciences," Omuraliyev said.

It is therefore evident that international cooperation and infrastructure development will facilitate countries in the region in their active participation in the global space economy, thereby strengthening their position in the space industry.