On August 5, STAR.VISION successfully launched the hyperspectral satellites Samarkand-2028 and Lampung-1 from a seaborne launch platform off the coast of China's Shandong Province, Daryo.uz reports.
The project has become one of the largest international space projects in the history of Uzbekistan and an important milestone in the development of the national space program. As part of the mission, specialists from the Uzbekcosmos agency developed an artificial intelligence module that processes hyperspectral data directly onboard the satellite, increasing the efficiency of data transmission.
The acquired data will be used for monitoring agriculture, water and natural resources, environmental conditions, emergency prevention, and urban planning. The satellite's name commemorates the 79th International Astronautical Congress, which will be held in Samarkand in 2028.
The launch of Samarkand-2028 is significant not only for Uzbekistan but for all of Central Asia. The region faces common challenges, including water shortages, land degradation, climate change, an increasing number of natural disasters, and the need to improve agricultural efficiency.
Hyperspectral satellite data enables highly accurate monitoring of the condition of soils, crops, glaciers, reservoirs, and transboundary rivers, providing authorities with objective information for decision-making.
The use of artificial intelligence directly in orbit reduces the volume of data transmitted and accelerates the receipt of analytical information, which is especially important for monitoring emergencies and natural disasters.
The satellite could potentially become part of a regional space data exchange system between Central Asian states, facilitating more effective water resource management, environmental monitoring, and the development of joint scientific projects. The launch also demonstrates Uzbekistan's growing technological capabilities and strengthens cooperation with China in high-tech sectors, including space and artificial intelligence.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 5, 2026