The Mongolia government announced discussions are being held with SpaceX to launch the nation’s first national telecommunications satellite, with ambitions to becoming a spacefaring nation.
Reuters reported, the Mongolian government is aiming to develop its “domestic space economy” and the satellite is being built by France-based Thales Alenia Space. The satellite will serve Mongolia in a variety of ways such as: emergency response and disaster management, boost broadband internet availability, support scientific research education among many other purposes, said the government.
Mongolia's Minister of Digital Development and Communications Uchral Nyam-Osor said: “Launching our own satellite marks a defining moment for Mongolia's journey towards becoming a spacefaring nation."
He added: "It signifies Mongolia's commitment to fostering a thriving domestic space industry and its pursuit of a digital future driven by cutting-edge innovation."
Mongolia gave the Elon Musk company permission to provide internet access through its constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites Starlink last year, with Starlink services to come online later this month. The Starlink constellation has over 3,5000 LEO satellites providing broadband to remote areas.
"SpaceX's investment in Mongolia demonstrates the confidence they have in the digital transformation and sustainable development programmes at the centre of Mongolia's New Recovery Policy and Vision2050," Nyam-Osor said.
