Vienna: The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Exolaunch GmbH have revealed that institutions in Bolivia, Guatemala, Jordan, and Nepal are set to deploy their CubeSats through Exolaunch’s EXOpod Nova deployment system. This initiative is part of UNOOSA’s ‘Access to Space for All’ program, which provides fully funded launch slots aimed at enhancing local expertise and contributing to the global space community.
According to Emirates News Agency, the selected projects focus on a range of objectives that include building national development capabilities and inspiring future generations. In Bolivia, Universidad Cat³lica Boliviana San Pablo is working on the country’s first nanosatellite, Waskiri-Sat, which will feature AI and multispectral cameras for data collection in various sectors. This project is in partnership with Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) and aims to promote gender equality and inspire future space researchers.
In Guatemala, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is developing QUETZAL-2, which will test cloud detection technologies and safe deorbiting. This mission is aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and serves as an educational tool to engage Guatemalan youth in science and engineering.
Jordan’s Al Hussein Technical University plans to use their CubeSat for wildlife conservation, providing real-time tracking in remote reserves where traditional networks are absent. The initiative aims to educate students in satellite design and operations, forming a basis for Jordan’s growing space sector.
Nepal’s Antarikchya Pratisthan will launch Slippers2Sat-2 to assist in disaster management by monitoring floods and detecting earthquake precursors. The project also seeks to introduce space science to marginalized students and share its data openly, encouraging equal opportunities in space exploration.
This announcement follows a significant response to the global call for applications, highlighting the demand for accessible space opportunities. Seventeen proposals from 15 countries were submitted, demonstrating the international interest in this initiative. The collaboration between UNOOSA and Exolaunch, first announced on January 31, 2024, is designed to provide equitable access to space and enhance national space capabilities through practical deployment experiences.