The deployment of two low-orbit nanosatellites launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket on 4 March marked Mongolia’s entry into the global space industry, bne IntelliNews reported.
The Cubesat satellites, named Ondosat-Owl-1 and Ondosat-Owl-2, carrying amateur radio payloads and built by Mongolian satellite provider Ondo Space, are the country’s first satellites.
Mongolia, meanwhile, is holding talks with SpaceX over the possible launch of the country’s first high-orbit national satellite, which is currently under construction at France’s Thales Alenia Space.
Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene praised the success of “nano sats,” achieved in launching satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 joint mission, and stated afterwards:
“Mongolia’s historic achievement in sending a man to space in 1981 laid the foundation for today’s momentous occasion, showcasing the swift advancement of our domestic space endeavours. This milestone marks just the beginning of our journey towards cultivating a vibrant domestic space industry. With a meticulously crafted policy framework, Mongolia aspires to emerge as a leading global centre for space technology innovation and research.”
Satellites have completed space environmental testing at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan. The Mongolian government plans to create a sandbox for space testing and R&D, which will contribute to the further growth of the domestic space sector. Uchral Nyam-Osor, Minister of Digital Development and Communications, declared:
Mongolia presents immense potential for businesses in this dynamic and rapidly expanding sector. Introducing a regulatory sandbox […] will ensure that the government actively fosters ongoing growth and innovation across key domains such as the space economy, artificial intelligence, IoT, and other emerging technologies.
