Cambodia Sets Sights on First Satellite Within Five Years
Cambodia Sets Sights on First Satellite Within Five Years
PHNOM PENH, April 25, 2026 — Cambodia is considering launching its own satellite within the next five years and may establish a national space management agency as part of broader efforts to develop the country’s digital and aerospace capabilities, Telecommunications Minister Chea Vandeth said.
Speaking after a workshop on satellite monitoring and data collection technologies, Vandeth said Cambodia was evaluating future space-sector development while also exploring the use of commercial satellite services for agriculture, environmental monitoring, land management and urban planning.
“We must think about the possibility of launching our own satellite within the next five years,” the minister said in a statement posted on his official platform.
He added that the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications was studying the feasibility of creating a dedicated national agency to coordinate matters related to outer space.
The announcement signals growing ambitions by Cambodia to expand beyond traditional telecommunications infrastructure into strategic space-based services increasingly used for economic planning, disaster management and national development.
Vandeth said the ministry had prioritised training skilled personnel in satellite and aerospace fields, sending technical officials for study visits and specialised courses abroad.
He added that Cambodia was also considering scholarships for telecommunications students focused on satellite-related subjects at the country’s Digital Technology Academy and partner universities.
The workshop was attended by around 210 participants, including officials, academics, students and executives from Pixxel Space Technologies Inc, an Earth-imaging satellite company.
Experts at the event shared knowledge on Earth observation systems, remote sensing satellites and hyperspectral satellite imagery analysis.
Cambodia has accelerated digital transformation efforts in recent years, expanding internet infrastructure, e-government services and technology education as it seeks to modernise its economy.
