Joint CubeSat agreed in Baku
AchievedOTS heads of space agencies agreed to build a joint CubeSat, with Uzbek engineers developing the propulsion system.
Why it matters: The first practical space project of the Organization of Turkic States.
Satellite
OTS-SAT — 12U CubeSat, first joint satellite of the Organization of Turkic States (also reported as "TDT-SAT")
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OTS-SAT — 12U CubeSat, first joint satellite of the Organization of Turkic States (also reported as "TDT-SAT")
- Country and region
- Kazakhstan (lead builder), with Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan · Central Asia, the Caucasus and Mongolia
- Lead organisations
- Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary; Organization of Turkic States
- Last milestone
- First Framework Agreement on Developing Cooperation Capacity in the Space Industry within the OTS signed by Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in Antalya, 6 Oct 2026 (at the 77th International Astronautical Congress); Ankara Declaration of the 13th OTS Summit (30 Oct 2026) notes production is complete (10 Apr 2026)
- Next milestone
- Completion of remaining tests in 2026; launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, second half of 2027 (launch vehicle not published) (late 2026 or early 2027 (to confirm))
Why it matters
The first shared Central Asian satellite, testing whether Kazakhstan can sell satellite building and operations to its neighbours.
OTS-SAT is a small technology-demonstration satellite in the 12U CubeSat format (a standard box of twelve 10 cm units). It is the first practical space project of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), whose members are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan, with Hungary and Turkmenistan as observers. Its stated purpose is to test new satellite subsystems in orbit, share technology between member states, pool research capacity and train young engineers. One Kazakh source also mentions a camera and research instruments for imaging farmland.
Origins: OTS heads of space agencies have met each year since about 2022 under a "Space Technology Conference" launched by Uzbekistan. In 2024 the five members signed an international agreement on joint space exploration. At the fourth meeting (Baku, April 2025) the members agreed to build a joint CubeSat, with Uzbek engineers developing the propulsion system. The 12th OTS Summit in Gabala, Azerbaijan (October 2025) agreed to speed up production, with a 2026 launch target.
Work split (reported May 2026): Kazakhstan does design and overall assembly at the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Complex in Astana; Uzbekistan provides propulsion; Türkiye provides solar panels and software; Azerbaijan takes part with no published role. The Astana complex is run by Ghalam LLP, a joint venture of the national space company Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (72%) and Airbus Defence and Space (27.5%). It can test spacecraft from 100 kg to 6 tonnes.
Key dates: project presented by Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev at the informal OTS summit in Turkestan, 15 May 2026; engineering model fully assembled, July 2026; framework agreement signed in Antalya, 6 Oct 2026; 13th Summit and Ankara Declaration, 30 Oct 2026.
Setbacks: the launch target has slipped from 2026 (October 2025 and May 2026 reports) to "late 2026 or early 2027" (Kazakh space company CEO, April 2026) and now the second half of 2027. Sources give no reason beyond outstanding legal, regulatory and organisational steps.
Status 2026: production is reported complete and final tests are due to finish in 2026. Member states are finalising legal and financing arrangements through the OTS Secretariat.
Next: launch from Baikonur in the second half of 2027. Related plans include "Turkic World Space Days" at international space events, Türkiye's Space Camp programme for young people, and Uzbekistan's own "Mirzo Ulugbek" science satellite (2028).
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Milestone path
April 2025 (fourth agency heads' meeting, Baku)
October 2025 (12th OTS Summit, Gabala)
Summit fast-tracks the satellite
AchievedThe 12th OTS Summit in Gabala, Azerbaijan, agreed to speed up production, with a 2026 launch target.
Why it matters: Political backing at summit level; the 2026 target has since slipped.
10 April 2026
Launch target moves to 2026–27
AchievedThe head of Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary gave the launch as "late 2026 or early 2027".
Why it matters: The first sign of slippage.
15 May 2026
Work split presented in Turkestan
LatestKazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister presented the project at the informal OTS summit: Kazakhstan designs and assembles, Uzbekistan provides propulsion, Türkiye solar panels and software.
Why it matters: Shows which countries' industries supply the satellite.
Milestone path
July 2026 (reported 30 July)
Engineering model assembled in Astana
AchievedThe engineering model was fully assembled at the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Complex in Astana, run by Ghalam.
Why it matters: Moves the project from design to hardware.
6 October 2026
Framework agreement signed in Antalya
AchievedKazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed the first Framework Agreement on space industry cooperation within the OTS at the International Astronautical Congress.
Why it matters: Gives the project a legal base for financing and launch arrangements.
30 October 2026
Ankara Declaration: production complete
AchievedThe Ankara Declaration of the 13th OTS Summit noted that production of the satellite is complete.
Why it matters: Sources differ on whether a flight model exists or only the engineering model.
3 November 2026 (reported)
Baikonur launch, second half 2027
LatestTurkish press reported the launch planned for the second half of 2027 from Baikonur, with legal, regulatory and technical preparations to be speeded up.
Why it matters: Fixes a launch site; the launch vehicle has not been named.
Milestone path
2026 (year only)
Final tests completed
PlannedRemaining tests are to be completed in 2026.
What to watch: Watch for a test completion announcement and confirmation of a flight model.
Second half of 2027
Launch from Baikonur
PlannedOTS-SAT is to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan; the launch vehicle and provider have not been published.
What to watch: Watch for the launch contract, which will name the rocket.
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Systems and suppliers
Lead builder and integration
- Ghalam LLP (Kazakhstan)· not listed in the Directory
- (state-majority joint venture). Builds OTS-SAT; engineering model assembled in Astana; runs the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Complex.
- JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (Kazakhstan)· not listed in the Directory
- (100% state-owned). Majority owner of Ghalam (72%); national Earth-observation operator; CEO stated the launch timeline (Apr 2026).
- Airbus Defence and Space SAS (France)· not listed in the Directory
- 27.5% shareholder in Ghalam, which runs the Astana assembly and test complex. No direct OTS-SAT role published.
Government sponsors
- Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (Kazakhstan)
- Leads the project for Kazakhstan; minister Zhaslan Madiyev.
- Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (Kazakhstan)
- Sole shareholder body for Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary; welcomed the framework agreement.
- Organization of Turkic States Secretariat (international)
- Coordinates legal and organisational procedures; Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
Subsystems
- Uzbekistan Space Agency (Uzbekspace) (Uzbekistan)
- Propulsion system; framework signatory; director Shukrat Kadirov.
- Türkiye (supplier not named)
- solar panels and software. The Turkish organisation responsible has not been published.
Work split as reported by Kazakh and Uzbek sources to Nov 2026; Turkish and Azerbaijani suppliers not named; launch vehicle not published.
Systems and suppliers
Subsystems
- Turkish Space Agency (TUA) (Türkiye)
- Türkiye's space agency, at the Antalya signing; runs the Space Camp youth programme named in the Ankara Declaration. Its exact satellite role is not published.
- Azercosmos (Azerbaijan)
- (state-owned). Named among participating agencies at IAC 2026; Azerbaijan is a framework signatory with no published satellite role.
Launch
- Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan, leased to Russia)
- launch site, second half of 2027. Launch vehicle and provider not published. Review note: if a Russian vehicle is used, the launch line should be marked RESTRICTED.
Other participants
- Kyrgyzstan (agency not named)
- OTS member at the March 2026 agency heads' meeting; not among the four Antalya signatories.
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Competitors
| Compared item | H2 2027 (planned), Baikonur | ~10 Dec 2025 (announced 10 Dec) | 3 Dec 2018, Falcon 9, Vandenberg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format / mass | 12U CubeSat; mass not published | 260 kg | 105 kg |
| Lead / builder | Ghalam (Kazakhstan) | UAE Space Agency, at NSSTC, UAE University | SSTL (UK) with Ghalam |
| Partner countries | Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan | 9 named (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon) | UK–Kazakhstan |
| Main payload | Technology demonstration (subsystems); camera reported | Hyperspectral imager | Wide-area imager (17.4–18.7 m) |
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- www.sstl.co.uk
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