Country

Description

Government spending

Notes

activities, programs, and milestones: first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Alsat-1A) built jointly with the UK and launched on a Russian rocket, 2002; announced a national space program, 2006; first Algerian designed and built RS satellites (Alsat-2A and 2B) launched by India, 2010 and 2016; first communications satellite (Alcomsat-1) built jointly with and launched by China, 2017

Government spending: estimated $100 million (2022)

activities, programs, and milestones: Angola satellite ground control mission center announced operational, 2016; announced a national space strategy, 2017; first communications satellite (AngoSat-1) built, launched, and operated by Russia, 2017 (satellite failed in 2018); took the lead in the development of a Southern Africa Development Community satellite data sharing program, 2020-present; second communications satellite (AngoSat-2) with French-built payload and integrated and launched by Russia, 2022; signed US-led Artemis Accords, 2023

Government spending: estimated $30 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: first rocket (Alfa Centauro) launched, 1961; first country in Latin America to send an animal into space, 1967; continued developing multi-stage sounding (research) rockets for military purposes until program cancelled in 1991; initiated a satellite communications network with acquisition of Canadian satellite, 1993; first domestically built communications satellite (Nahuel-1A) launched on European satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV), 1997; conducted a sub-orbital test rocket for domestic SLV (Tronador) project, 2007 (additional test launches of experimental vehicles, known as VEx, for the Tronador project conducted in 2014 and 2018); first domestically built synthetic aperture radar remote sensing (RS) satellite (SAOCOM 1A) launched on a US SLV, 2018; worked with Mexico to create the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), 2020-2021 (officially established July 2021); signed US-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration, 2023; as of 2023, continued developing multi-stage Tronador SLV project

Government spending: in 2022, announced an additional investment of approximately $45 million in the Tronador SLV program, including associated experimental rockets (VEx-5, VEx-6) and auxiliary and launch infrastructure

activities, programs, and milestones: signed agreement with Russia to produce and launch a communications satellite, 2012; India announced intention to build remote sensing (RS) satellite for Armenia, 2017; approved a national law on space activities, 2019; first RS satellite built jointly with a private Spanish firm and launched on US commercial rocket, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: sounding (research) rocket program, 1958-1975; built first space tracking station outside the US, 1960; founding member of INTELSAT, the world’s first global satellite communications network, 1964; first domestically built satellite (WRSEA) launched on a US rocket from a test range in South Australia, 1967; commissioned first national satellite system, 1981; Australian-made telescope used on US Space Shuttle mission, 1992; first Australian in space on US Space Shuttle, 1996; released a national policy for space industry, 2013; announced a $150 million initiative to support Australian businesses and researchers participating in US NASA’s Artemis Lunar project, 2019; began construction of Square Kilometer Array radio telescope observatory (world’s largest radio telescope) and announced intentions to provide a robotic Lunar lander for US Artemis project, 2021; launched a US NASA rocket from a newly-built commercial launch site, 2022; joint Australia-US space surveillance telescope based in Western Australia became operational, 2022; in 2022, announced a national space program to design, build, and operate four new remote sensing (RS) satellites; agreed to allow US rockets from Australian space ports, 2023

Government spending: government budget for 2022-2023 included over $115 million allocated to space programs over five years, including investments in commercial space industry; announced plans to spend $1.16 billion through 2038-2039 on national space mission for the program to design, build, and operate four new RS satellites

activities, programs, and milestones: became an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1981 and a full member in 1987; contributed to the Spacelab1 manned space laboratory, 1983-1998; collaborated with the Soviet Union in the 1980s, culminating with an Austrian going to space on a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft to the Mir Space Station, 1991; established a national space program, 2002; first domestically built science/technology (star observation) satellites (TUGSAT-1 and UniBRITE) launched by India, 2013; produced additional science/technology satellites, 2017 and 2019; worked with China to produce world’s first quantum-encrypted satellite communications teleconference from Beijing to Vienna, 2017; participates in several ESA-EU space programs, including Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (2014-2020), Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program (2014-present), Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present)

Government spending: contributed over $70 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: prior to 1991, provided support to the Soviet space program; NASA placed under Ministry of Defense Industry, 2006; presidential decree to establish a space industry, 2008; first communications satellite (Azerspace-1), built by US company and launched on European rocket, 2013; took operational control over remote sensing satellite (SPOT-7, now Azersky) from a French company, 2014; second communications satellite (Azerspace-2) built by US company and launched on European rocket, 2017; in 2023, agreed to participate in China's International Lunar Research Station Cooperation project, which aims to establish a Lunar base in the 2030s

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: in 2019-2020, began the process for acquiring its first satellite and building a ground satellite tracking station; first scientific nanosatellite (Light-1 CubeSat) built with assistance from the UAE and launched by Japan (released from the International Space Station), 2022; joined US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration, 2022; in 2022, announced national project to build first entirely domestically produced satellite by the end of 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first educational/scientific nanosatellite (BRAC-Onnesha) acquired from Japan and launched on US commercial rocket, 2017; first communications satellite (Bangabandhu-1), built by a French company and launched on a US commercial rocket, 2018; in 2021, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Russian company to acquire and launch a remote sensing (RS) satellite (Bangabandhu-2) tailored towards environmental monitoring, meteorology, cartography, and defense purposes by 2023 (the MoU also included a ground station, acquiring RS data from Russian spacecraft, launch services, educational programs in space domains, commercial orbital flights, and consulting services

Government spending: not available; has reportedly invested more than $400 million in 2021 RS satellite acquisition program

activities, programs, and milestones: first Belarus-Russian RS satellite launched, 2003; launched a national space program with emphasis on developing remote sensing (RS) satellites and building a ground station for processing data, 2007; RS satellite (BKA BelKA) built jointly with and launched by Russia, 2012; first telecommunication satellite (Belintersat-1) built and launched by China, 2016; educational/scientific nanosatellite made by Belarusian university students and launched by China, 2018; finalized an agreement with Russia in 2022 to jointly produce an RS satellite for launch in 2023; in 2023, joined China’s International Lunar Research Station program, which aims to construct a permanent lunar base in the 2030s

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: joined European Southern Observatory, 1967; joined the European Space Agency (ESA), 1975; joined first European Earth Observation program (SPOT; launched by France), 1986; founding member of European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), 1986; first Belgian astronaut in space on the US Space Shuttle, 1992; first remote sensing satellite (PROBA-1) launched on an Indian rocket, 2001; passed Belgian Space Law, 2005 (revised 2013); participates in multiple ESA-EU space efforts, including Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program (2014-present), Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), EU government satellite communications (GovSatCom) program (2021-present), two meteorological satellite programs (first launches in 2021), and ESA-US James Webb Space Telescope (launched 2021

Government spending: contributed approximately $290 million to ESA in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: first small technology demonstrator satellite (BHUTAN-1) built with assistance from Japan and launched on a US commercial rocket, 2018; signed an agreement with India to jointly develop a small remote sensing (RS) satellite, 2021; RS/technology demonstrator nanosatellite (BhutanSat) built jointly with and launched by India, 2022; inaugurated a ground station for the BhutanSat, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first communications satellite (Túpac Katari, TKSAT-1), built and launched by China, 2013; in 2016, began independently operating the TKSAT-1 satellite and announced plans to acquire a second communications satellite by 2025; signed protocols for establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021

Government spending: estimated $25-30 million (2020)

activities, programs, and milestones: announced start of a national space program and an effort to acquire a satellite, 2020; slated to receive a multi-satellite meteorological transportable ground application system from China for satellite tracking, data acquisition, imaging, and processing capabilities by 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: began developing a national space program under the Air Force, early 1960s; began launching sounding rockets (Sonda) as research and development for space/satellite launch vehicle (SLV) orbital rocket, mid-1960s; began SLV (Veículo Lançador de Satélites or VLS-1) program, 1984; first communications satellite jointly produced with Canada and launched on European SLV, 1985; first domestically built experimental communications satellite (Satélite de Coleta de Dados, SCD-1), launched on a US rocket, 1993; approved a national space program, 1996; attempted first launch of a multi-stage VLS-1, 1997; in 2004, launched a sounding rocket into sub-orbital space, but the subsequent catastrophic failure of a VLS-1 during a test launch led to a scaling back of the program; first Brazilian astronaut (trained in US and Russia) to the International Space Station on a Russian rocket, 2006; began work on a 3-stage microsatellite launch vehicle (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélite or VLM-1), 2008; signed a technological safeguards agreement with the US in 2019 that allowed for the launch of rockets containing US technology from Brazilian launch sites; first independently designed, built, and operated remote sensing (RS) satellite (Amazonia-1) launched by India, 2021; signed US-led Artemis Accords on space exploration cooperation and signed cooperation agreements with the space agencies of China, India, Russia, and South Africa (BRICS) for the joint development of an RS satellite constellation, 2021; planned test launch of VLM-1 in 2023

Government spending: estimated $50 million for the AEB (2020)

activities, programs, and milestones: cooperated with the Soviet Union, 1960s-1990s, including the Interkosmos program designed to help the USSR’s allies with crewed and uncrewed space missions; sent its first scientific instrument (Pribor-1) into space on a Soviet rocket, 1972; first Bulgarian in space on Soviet Soyuz rocket, 1979; first domestically produced scientific satellite launched on Soviet rocket, 1981; participated in the Soviet VEGA project, a deep-space mission to study Venus and Halley’s Comet, 1985; second Bulgarian in space on Soviet Mir space station, 1988; developed a plant growth system/green house (SVET) for the Mir space station, 1990 (operated until 2001); provided scientific instruments for an Indian Moon mission (2008), Russian research mission (2013), European Space Agency-Russian Mars orbiter (2016), International Space Station (2022); first communications satellite (BulgariaSat-1) built and launched by US commercial companies, 2017; first domestically built data/educational cube satellite (EnduroSat-1) launched on a US commercial rocket, 2019; provided scientific instruments (Liulin-ML and Liulin-MO) for two Mars missions, 2023; signed the US-led Artemis Accords outlining principles for cooperation in space exploration, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first Canadian science payload on a sub-orbital sounding rocket launched from a joint Canadian-US base, 1958; launched first domestically built sounding (research) rocket (Black Brant 1), 1959; first domestically designed and built satellite (Alouette) launched on US rocket, 1962 (third country to do so behind the US and Soviet Union); first domestic communications satellites (Anik A-1 and Anik A-2) launched by US in 1972 and 1973, making Canada first country to employ satellites for domestic communications; participated in US Space Shuttle program (1970s-2011); participated in US Mars probe/exploration programs (1970s-present); initiated astronaut program, 1982; first Canadian in space on US Space Shuttle, 1984; participating in International Space Station, (1988-present); participated in Hubble Space Telescope program (1993-2009); first Canadian-built, radar-capable remote sensing satellite (Radarsat-1) launched, 1995; participating in the Copernicus European Space Agency (ESA)-EU Earth observation program (2014-present); participating in US asteroid study-and-return sample probe program (2015-present); announced a five-year plan to invest in projects related to the development of communications satellites to support high-speed broadband connectivity in remote areas of Canada, 2018; participating in international Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project (2018-present); participating in US/NASA Lunar Gateway orbital station program (2019-present); in 2021, announced plans to put a rover on the Moon with the US by 2026; participating in ESA-US James Webb Space Telescope mission (launched 2021

Government spending: approximately $330 million (2022); contributed over $20 million to the ESA in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: established first satellite ground stations (for the US), 1957; Chilean company began operating South America’s first communications satellite ground station, 1968; established a Committee for Space Matters under the Defense Ministry for developing national space policy, 1980; signed agreement with US to provide a backup runway for emergency Space Shuttle landings, 1985; scientific/technology satellite (FASAT-Alpha) purchased from UK and launched by Russia (failed to deploy), 1995; first successful launch of scientific/technology satellite (FASAT-Bravo) purchased from UK, 1998; first remote sensing (RS) satellite (FASAT-Charlie) purchased from European company and launched by Russia, 2011; small Chilean university-built scientific/educational cube satellite launched by India, 2017; signed an agreement with an Israeli firm to receive satellite imagery, 2020; in 2021, announced plans to acquire and place into orbit as many as 10 mini- and micro-satellites (seven manufactured in Chile) for a national RS constellation (National Satellite System or SNSAT) by 2025 (note – the effort will also include building a national space center and three ground stations); launched first SNSAT RS satellite (FASat-Delta) on US commercial rocket

Government spending: overall spending not available; in 2021, allocated $120 million for the SNSAT constellation

activities, programs, and milestones: began launching rockets in 1960; initiated satellite and space/satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program, 1966; first communications satellite (Dongfanghong I) launched, 1970; first manned space flight, 2003 (third country to achieve independent human space flight); launched first satellite for global navigational system (Beidou), 2003 (by 2020, the system had 35 satellites); first spacewalk, 2009; placed temporary space station (Tiangong-1) into Earth orbit, 2011; in 2013, conducted first manned docking in space, became the first country to land a mission on the Moon since the Soviet Union in 1976, and placed a second temporary space station (Tiangong-2) in Earth orbit; launched “Broadband China” project to improve mobile and broadband Internet coverage for the country, 2013; Lunar exploration program (2014-present); first unmanned Moon landing, 2014; in 2017, employed a communications satellite (Micius) to perform the world’s first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference between Beijing and Vienna and launched its first high-throughput satellite (Shijian 13/Chinasat 16), the first in a class of satellites capable of delivering more bandwidth and capacity to end users, as well as providing broadband Internet connectivity to remote parts of China, airline travelers, and high-speed trains; landed a rover vehicle (Chang’e-4) on the far side of the Moon, 2019; in 2020, launched and successfully landed a reusable orbital spacecraft/space plane and launched World’s first 6G experimental communications satellite; in 2021, established the China Satellite Group (SatNet) to launch a satellite Internet constellation of about 13,000 satellites, landed a probe and operated a rover vehicle on Mars, signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia to set up an international manned Lunar research station, and announced intentions to send a manned mission to Mars by 2033; completed construction of a permanent manned space station (Tiangong) in Earth orbit, 2022; announced it was working to construct a quantum communications network using satellites in low and medium-to-high Earth orbits, 2023

Government spending: estimated $10-13 billion (2022)

activities, programs, and milestones: first domestically produced technology demonstration remote sensing (RS) nanosatellite (Libertad I) launched on Russian rocket, 2007; launched program in 2013 with goal of acquiring an RS satellite, but the government canceled the program in 2014 arguing it was cheaper to buy RS data from third parties; second experimental RS nanosatellite (UAPSAT) launched on US rocket, 2014; first RS satellite (FACSAT-1) for military use purchased from Denmark and launched by India, 2018; in 2022, signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration and announced plans to launch a second RS satellite (FACSAT-2) for environmental studies in 2023

Government spending: estimated $10-15 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: first domestically produced remote sensing cube satellite (Irazú) for monitoring tropical forests and climate change launched on a US commercial rocket and deployed from the International Space Station, 2018; signed protocols for newly established Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021; opened US commercial company’s space radar facility for mapping and space situational awareness, 2021

Government spending: not available; as of 2022, the ACE was financed through donations and the surpluses of other public institutions

activities, programs, and milestones: announced intentions to develop a space industry and a feasibility study on acquiring a satellite, 2015; announced in 2023 that it planned to acquire and launch first small remote sensing satellite (Yam-Sat CI 01) in 2024

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA), 1975; first satellite launched on a US rocket, 1999; participating in the ESA-EU Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present); first astronaut to the International Space Station, 2015; participating in ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system, 2016-present (constellation of 26 satellites, completed 2018); established a national space law and space strategy, 2016

Government spending: provided approximately $40 million to the ESA in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: an Ecuadorian completed a suborbital astronaut training program provided by Russia, 2007; first two domestically designed and built scientific/technology demonstrator satellites (NEE-01, NEE-02) launched on Chinese and Russian rockets, 2013 (NEE-01 hit by debris from a Soviet rocket and lost in 2013); signed accords for the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021; signed US-led Artemis Accords for safe and sustainable space exploration, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: initiated a space program, 1960; first communications satellite (NileSat-101) built in Europe and launched on a European rocket, 1998 (first African country to have its own communications satellite); remote sensing (RS) satellites built and launched by Russia, 2007 (Egypsat-1, communications lost, 2010), 2014 (EgyptSat-2; failed in orbit, 2015), and 2019 (EgyptSat-A); first government communications satellite (Tiba-1) acquired from France and launched on European rocket, and first domestically produced RS cube satellites (NARSSCube-1 and 2) released from International Space Station, 2019; selected to host the future headquarters of the Africa Space Agency (scheduled to stand up in 2023) and signed contract with China for construction of satellite assembly, integrating, and testing facilities, 2019; announced a 10-year national space program, including initiating an astronaut training program and cooperating with five African states to jointly develop an RS satellite for monitoring climate changes in Africa, 2020; inaugurated a “space city” containing a satellite manufacturing facility, a research center, a space academy, and the headquarters of the African Space Agency, 2022; latest NileSat-series (NileSat-301) communications satellite acquired from Europe and launched by the US, 2022; two RS satellites (Horus-1 and 2) launched by China and joined the China-led International Lunar Research Station project which aims to establish a permanent Lunar base by the 2030s

Government spending: EgSA receives limited direct funding from the state, as well as loans, grants, and donations; from 2018-2021, received nearly $70 million in grants from China for space related programs

activities, programs, and milestones: signed a cooperation agreement with Turkey on space cooperation and satellite development, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: established Entoto Observatory and Space Science Research Center, 2015; enacted a national space policy, 2018; first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Ethiopia RS Satellite or ETRSS-1) built and launched by China, 2019; signed agreement with China to jointly produce a communications satellite, 2019; second RS satellite (ET-SMART-RSS) built with assistance from and launched by China, 2020; began construction of satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing facility, 2020; established a multi-mission ground control station for RS satellites, 2021

Government spending: has received considerable financial support in the form of loans and grants from China for construction of satellites and a satellite manufacturing facility

EU and/or European Space Agency (ESA) activities, programs, and milestones: first satellite launched on US rocket, 1975; first launch of Ariane heavy-lift SLV, 1979; participated in US Space Shuttle program (1980s-2011; included more than 20 Spacelab missions, 1983-1998); first solar satellite/orbiter (SOHO) launched, 1995; Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017); International Space Station (1998-present); International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL, 2002-present); Mars Express orbiter exploration mission (2003-present); Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014); Venus exploration mission (2005-2014); first launch of VEGA small SLV, 2012; Copernicus ESA-EUSPA Earth observation program (2014-present); ESA-EUSPA Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present; constellation of 26 satellites completed 2018); astronomy/star-mapping satellite (Gaia; 2013-present); Mars orbiter (ExoMars; 2016-present); the European Commission released a space strategy for Europe, 2016; Mercury planetary orbiter (BepiColombo; 2018-present); participating in US Gateway Lunar orbital station project (2019-present); quantum communications infrastructure (EuroQCI; 2019-present); Solar Orbiter mission (2020-2030); implemented EU government satellite communications and space situational awareness (Govsatcom) component of EU space program, 2021; launched world’s first commercial fully flexible reprogrammable quantum satellite, 2021; launched US-made James Webb Space Telescope, 2021; launched Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission on European SLV, 2023 (scheduled to reach Jupiter in 2031 and spend 3 years orbiting the Jupiter moons Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede); ESA launched Euclid space observatory/telescope on US SLV, 2023

Government spending: the EU in 2022 budgeted approximately $18 billion for space programs through 2027, mostly for its flagship programs (Galileo, Copernicus, and Govsatcom); on an annual basis, the EU contributes about 25% of ESA’s budget, while the remaining funds are provided by the individual member states; in 2022, the ESA approved a 3-year budget of approximately $17.5 billion; ESA operates on the principle of geographical or fair return ('juste retour’), i.e., it invests in each member state through industrial contracts for space programs, an amount more or less equivalent to each country’s contribution; the largest contributors in 2023 were Germany, France, Italy, and the UK

activities, programs, and milestones: began rocket program in 1961; launched animals into space, 1961 and 1963; launched first domestically produced satellite (Asterix) into space on a French Diamant rocket, 1965 (third country to do so after the Soviet Union and US); drove the development of the European Space Agency (ESA) and was its first member, 1975; worked on a space plane/shuttle program (Hermes; 1970s-1990s); developed ESA’s Ariane heavy-lift satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program (1970s-present); first French astronaut into space on a Soviet rocket, 1982; launched first joint European Earth observation (remote sensing) program (SPOT), 1986; major participant in multiple ESA/EU/other international programs, including Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017), ISS (1998-present), International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL; 2002-present), ESA’s Mars space exploration missions (2003-present), ESA’s Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), ESA’s Venus exploration mission (2005-2014), EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program (2014-present), ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), ESA-NASA ExoMars orbiter missions (2016-present), joint France-Japan satellite mission to Mercury (2018-present), the Square Kilometer Array Project (2018-present), James Webb Space Telescope (launched 2021), and ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Exploration mission (JUICE; launched 2023 and scheduled to reach Jupiter in 2029

Government spending: approximately $4 billion (2022); in 2022, announced intent to allocate more than $9 billion to space activities through 2025, as well as a multiyear investment program of approximately $1.7 billion to support space and other major industries; contributed over 20% (approximately $1.1 billion) of ESA’s budget in 2023; the French military in 2022 planned to spend about $650 million in the space domain

activities, programs, and milestones: first satellite ground station completed, 1973; European Space Agency established a ground station in Gabon, 1986; completed mapping Gabon’s forests, 2018; founding member of the Space Climate Observatory, 2019; began acquisition process for first satellite in joint project known as BIRDs with a Japanese company, 2021; began drafting a national space policy, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first German scientific satellite (Azur) launched on a US rocket, 1969; launched Helios solar probes, 1974 and 1976; joined European Space Agency (ESA), 1977; first German in space on Soviet Salyut space station, 1978; European/German sounding (research) rocket program (1970s-2005); participated in ESA-US NASA Spacelab program (1970s-1980s); participated, including providing astronauts, in US Space Shuttle program (1980s-1990s); launched a space-based X-ray telescope (ABRAXIS) on Russian rocket, 1999; reusable space plane/shuttle/transporter development (2005-present); major participant in multiple ESA/EU/international programs, including Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017), International Space Station (1998-present), International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL; 2002-present), ESA’s Mars space exploration mission (2003-present), ESA’s Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), ESA’s Venus exploration mission (2005-2014), EU’s Space Surveillance and Tracking program (2014-present), ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), ESA-NASA Mars robotic lander mission (2018-present), ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Exploration mission (JUICE; launched 2023); participating in the Square Kilometer Array Project (world’s largest radio telescope; 2018-present; launched first space-based X-ray telescope (eROSITA) capable of imaging the entire sky, 2019 (joint project with Russia); inaugurated a military space command and situational awareness center, 2021; signed US-led Artemis Accords for Lunar exploration, 2023

Government spending: approximately $2.5 billion (2022); contributed about nearly $1.2 billion or 21.4% of the ESA’s budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: first satellite (GhanaSat-1; technology demonstration/remote sensing nanosatellite built by a Gabonese university with assistance from Japan) released from the International Space Station, 2017 (de-orbited 2019); established Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2017; approved a space policy and implementation plan, 2022

Government spending: allocated about $10 million towards space technology in 2015

activities, programs, and milestones: signed first cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), 1994; first satellite (Hellas-Sat) for a domestic telecommunications satellite network launched on US rocket, 2003; joined ESA, 2005 (became member state in 2011); first communications satellite (UPSat) manufactured in Greece released from International Space Station, 2017; announced national satellite space project with ESA technical assistance, 2021 (a plan to develop, manufacture, launch, and pre-operate small satellites capable of hosting various multipurpose payloads, particularly secure communications); participates in multiple ESA/EU/international programs, including ESA’s quantum communications infrastructure (EuroQCI or “fiber in the sky”) program (2019-present), the EU government satellite communications and space situational awareness (Govsatcom) project (2021-present), and the US/NASA Gateway Lunar orbital/landing program (developing a robotic surface rover; 2019-present

Government spending: approximately $35 million (2021); contributed approximately $23 million to the ESA in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: joined Soviet Intercosmos space cooperation program, 1967; first Hungarian in space on a Soviet Soyuz mission, 1980; provided instruments for Soviet Vega space probe program, 1986; signed first cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), 1991; first domestically produced science/technology satellite (MASAT-1) launched, 2012 (de-orbited 2015); joined ESA, 2015; second (SMOG-P) and third (ATL-1) indigenously produced science/technology nano-satellites launched on commercial rockets, 2019; announced plans in 2020 to launch first commercial geostationary telecommunications satellite by 2024; adopted a national space strategy and initiated astronaut program, 2021; as of 2022, had been involved in more than 60 ESA projects, including the Jupiter Icy Moons Exploration mission (JUICE) launched in 2023

Government spending: contributed about $25 million to ESA in 2023; in 2022, announced plans to spend $100 million to send an astronaut to the International Space Station by 2024-25 through a deal with a commercial space company

activities, programs, and milestones: first sounding (research) rocket launched, 1963; first satellite ground station established, 1967; first domestically made scientific satellite (Aryabhata) launched on a Soviet rocket, 1975; first experimental remote sensing (RS) satellite (Bhaskara-I) launched on a Soviet rocket, 1979; first successful launch of satellite (Rohini) on Indian satellite launch vehicle (SLV), 1980; commissioned a national multipurpose satellite communications system, 1983; first Indian in space on a Soviet rocket under the Intercosmos program, 1984; first operational RS satellite (IRS-1A) launched on Soviet rocket, 1988; first successful launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India’s premier SLV, 1994; began developing a human space flight program with space capsule recovery experiment, 2007; first Lunar orbiter/probe (Chandrayaan-1) launched, reached Lunar orbit, and sent a probe to the surface of the Moon, 2008; first interplanetary probe (Mangalyaan) reached orbit around Mars, 2014; Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (INRSS) became operational, 2018; announced intentions in 2018 for first crewed space mission (Gaganyaan) by 2023; participating in international Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope project (2018-present); launched Lunar orbiter/probe with lander and rover (Chandrayaan-2), 2019 (lander lost when it crash landed on Moon’s surface); commercial company successfully launched India’s first private rocket into space, 2022; signed agreement with US in 2023 which included joining US-led Artemis Accords and expanding civil space cooperation, including US training of Indian astronauts; sucessfully lands uncrewed lander/rover mission (Chandrayaan-3) on Moon's surface, 2023; also in 2023, it launched a solar observatory spacecraft (Aditya-L1) to study the Sun and announced plans to establish an orbiting space station by 2035 and land an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040

Government spending: approximately $2 billion for the Department of Space in 2022; approximately $75 million for the 2023 Chandryaan-3 mission

activities, programs, and milestones: established a rocket program in 1962; launched first sounding rocket (Kartika), 1964; first communications satellite (Palapa A1) built and launched by US, 1976; re-started sounding rocket program with goal of producing a satellite launch vehicle (SLV), 2005; first remote sensing (RS) satellite (LAPAN-A1) built by Germany and launched by India, 2007; passed a national space law specifying the country’s space interests as research, RS, technology development, satellite launches, and commercial space activities, 2013; first indigenously produced RS satellite (LAPAN-A2) launched by India, 2015; in 2021, announced Satria-1 project to acquire and launch a high-throughput multi-functional communications satellite with the aim of improving digital connectivity for the thousands of islands across the Indonesian archipelago by 2024

Government spending: estimated $200-300 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: initiated space program in 1997; established a Supreme Space Council, 2004; first indigenously designed, Russian-built satellite (Sina-1) launched on Russian rocket, 2005; developed 2-stage satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) (Safir or Envoy; 1998-2006); first domestic launch of a small, indigenously-produced communications and research satellite (Omid) on the Safir, 2009; in 2010, announced intent to place astronaut in orbit by 2024; launched first domestically produced remote sensing (RS) satellite (Rasad) on Safir SLV, 2011; launched monkey into sub-orbital flight on experimental Kavoshgar (Explorer) rocket, 2013; inaugurated a satellite monitoring center, 2013; developing/testing a more capable 2-stage orbital SLV (Simorgh or Phoenix; aka Safir-2; 2010-present); launched RS satellite (Fajr) with optical imaging capabilities and an experimental GPS system on Safir SLV, 2015 (de-orbited after 23 days); unveiled first upper-stage orbital maneuver system (Saman-1), 2017; suffered several failed Safir-2/Simorgh SLV launches (2019-2021); placed RS microsatellite (Noor) in orbit on 3-stage SLV (Qased or Messenger), 2020; placed another RS/military reconnaissance satellite (Noor-2) in orbit on Qased SLV, 2022; launched road-mobile 3-stage SLV (Zuljanah), 2021 and 2022; completed suborbital test of new small-lift SLV (Quam- or Ghaem-100), 2022; Russia provided and launched an RS satellite (Khayyam) for Iran, 2022; placed an RS satellite (Noor-3) in orbit on Qassed SLV, 2023

Government spending: not available

programs, activities, and milestones: the government of Saddam Hussein began a space program with the purpose of placing satellites in orbit on a domestically built rocket, 1980s; launched the first stage of an experimental 3-stage rocket (Al Abid) it claimed was to be capable of placing satellites in orbit, 1989; initial effort to build and put two experimental satellites in orbit (Al-Ta’ir project) ended, 1991; first experimental remote sensing cube satellite (TigriSat) built with Italian assistance and launched on Russian rocket, 2014; announced that it was working with France to build a satellite, 2019; announced intent to acquire a communications satellite to modernize the country’s telecommunications, 2021

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first sounding rocket launched, 1961; began development of small-lift satellite launch vehicle (SLV) (Shavit) based on long-range missile program (1970s-1980s); first indigenously-produced remote sensing (RS) satellite (Ofek-1) launched on Shavit SLV, 1988; launched four additional Ofek RS satellites on Shavit SLV (1995-2004; two were failed launches); first communications satellite (AMOS-1) launched on European rocket, 1996; first Israeli astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle, 2003 (lost during Columbia Shuttle accident); Shavit-2 small-lift 3-stage SLV unveiled, 2007; joined European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) project, 2014; launched lunar probe (Beresheet) on US commercial rocket, 2019 (crashed on Moon’s surface); in 2020, announced second attempt to land probe on the Moon by 2024; joined US Artemis Moon exploration project, 2022; launched military RS satellite (Ofek-13) with synthetic aperture radar payload, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: founder and key partner in the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organization (ESRO), both established in the early 1960s and predecessors of what would become the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1975; first domestically manufactured science satellite (San Marco-1) launched by the US, 1964; first domestically built telecommunications/research satellite (Sirio) launched by the US, 1977; participated in US Space Shuttle program (1990s-2011), resulting in first Italian astronaut in space on Shuttle, 1992; first launch of Italian-designed VEGA 3-stage satellite launch vehicle (SLV) for ESA, 2012; major participant in multiple ESA/EU/international programs, including ESA probe to Halley’s Comet (GIOTTO; 1985-1992), Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017), ISS (1998-present; including the first European astronaut on the station in 2001, first Italian to command it in 2019-2020, and first woman to command the station in 2022), ESA’s Mars Express exploration mission (2003-present), ESA’s Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; included world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), ESA’s Venus Express exploration mission (2005-2014), Japan/US HINODE solar probe mission (2006-present), ESA-US Jupiter planetary orbital probe (JUNO; 2011-present), EU’s Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program (2014-present), ESA-Russia Mars lander mission (ExoMars; 2016-present), ESA Mercury planetary orbital probe (Bepi Colombo) mission (2018-2024), Square Kilometer Array Project (2018-present), EU GovSatCom program for secure satellite communications (2021-present), ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission (JUICE; launched in 2023), and the US/NASA Lunar Gateway orbital station program (2019-present); released a 10-year space economy/industry strategy, 2020

Government spending: approximately $1.5 billion (2021); contributed over $600 million (12%) of the ESA’s 2023 budget; in 2022, agreed to contribute about $3 billion (18%) of the ESA’s 2023-2025 spending plan

activities, programs, and milestones: SLV program initiated, 1966; first domestically produced and launched satellite (OHSUMI), 1970; launched two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (Japan’s first missions beyond Earth’s orbit), 1985; first astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle, 1992; first Mars orbiter (1998-2003; failed to enter orbit); world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) to return to Earth with a sample from the asteroid (2003-2010); Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission (2007-2009); Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission (2010-2015); began operation of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS), 2018; launched asteroid probe with lander/rover (Hayabusa 2), 2014; first Japanese International Space Station commander, 2014; approved Martian Moons Explorer (MMX) mission, 2015 (planned 2024 launch); joint Japan-European Space Agency (ESA) probe to Mercury (BepiColombo) launched, 2018 (first flyby, 2021; expected to deploy probes in orbit in 2025); participating in Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project (2018-present); launched first satellite carrying optical laser relay telecommunications technology, 2020; Hayabusa 2 probe delivers asteroid sample to Earth, 2020 (probe continuing mission to another asteroid); participating in US/NASA Gateway Lunar orbital station and Artemis Moon exploration programs (2019-present); in joint commercial project with UAE and a US space launch company, launched a Japanese-built lander (Hakuto) and a UAE-built rover to the Moon, 2022 (crashed on Moon’s surface, April 2023); re-started astronaut training program and conducted first (failed) test launch of domestically produced H3 medium-lift satellite launch vehicle (SLV), 2023; launched a joint US-Japan-ESA X-ray space telescope and a small Lunar lander spacecraft, 2023 (scheduled to reach Moon in early 2024

Government spending: approximately $4.9 billion (2022)

activities, programs, and milestones: first Kazakh in space on the last Soviet Soyuz mission, 1991; announced formation of cosmonaut corps program, 2000 (first two cosmonauts selected, 2002); first communications satellite (KazSat-1) jointly built with Italian company and launched by Russia, 2006; launched a program to establish a remote sensing (RS) satellite surveillance system with ground stations and image processing capabilities, 2009; launched additional communications satellites (KazSat-2, KazSat-3) on Russian rockets, establishing the KazSat satellite communications and broadcasting system, 2011 and 2014; announced plans in 2012 to develop an assembly and testing facility for spacecraft and a satellite navigation system by 2030; first RS satellite (KazEOSat-1) built by European company and launched on European rocket, 2014; Kazakh cosmonaut on International Space Station, 2015; opened a space observatory, 2019

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: collaborated with Italy to establish a satellite launch and tracking facility in Kenya, 1964; first satellite (US-made Uhura) launched from Kenyan soil to study celestial X-ray astronomy, 1970; first satellite ground station established, 2008; first remote sensing (RS)/technology demonstrator cube nanosatellite (1KUNS-PF) developed and produced jointly with Japan and Italy and deployed from the International Space Station, 2018; released a 5-year strategic space plan, 2020; concluded a new deal with Italy in 2020 to conduct future rocket/satellite launches from Kenya; second RS nanosatellite (IKUNS) for monitoring and tracking wildlife in Kenya’s national parks jointly produced with Italy and launched by Russia, 2021; first domestically designed RS satellite (TAIFA-1) built by Bulgarian company and placed in orbit on US commercial rocket, 2023

Government spending: KSA committed about $200,000 to the development of cube satellites in 2021; TAIFA-1 RS satellite cost was approximately $375,000

activities, programs, and milestones: scientists and engineers participated in Soviet space program, including space shuttle, space stations, and scientific satellites (1960s-1990); first Lithuanian in space on Soviet Soyuz mission, 1969; astronomers participated in European Space Agency (ESA) and US/NASA space programs, 1990s; first two domestically made technology test bed nanosatellites (LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSat-1) launched from the International Space Station, 2014; third technology demonstrator satellite (LithuanicaSAT-2) launched by India, 2017; became an associate member of ESA, 2021

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: began creating a satellite telecommunications infrastructure for Europe in the 1980s and launched first satellite of a commercial satellite network provider that enabled television broadcasters to reach viewers directly through individual satellite dishes in 1988; joined the European Space Agency (ESA), 2005; constructed the first privately built probe to successfully fly by the Moon (launched by China), 2014; launched a national space resources initiative, 2016; developed communications satellite (Govsat-1) to support the EU’s secure communications and space situational awareness program (Govsatcom), 2018; announced plans to develop a national space-based remote sensing program (Luxembourg Earth Observation System or LUXEOSys), 2018 (first launch scheduled for 2023); signed US-led Artemis Accords agreement for Lunar exploration and agreed to join the Moon exploration mission, 2020; launched Luxembourg’s Quantum Communications Infrastructure project (LuxQCI) in support of the EU’s Quantum Communications Infrastructure (EuroQCI), 2021; participating in multiple long-term ESA/EU programs, such as the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EUSST) program (2014-present), ESA/EU Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), and the ESA Galileo satellite navigation system (2016-present)

Government spending: contributed approximately $45-50 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: first launch of foreign-acquired commercial MEASAT series of communications satellites, 1996 (as of 2023, six had been launched with three still in operation); first multipurpose (remote sensings/RS, communications, scientific) microsatellite (TiungSat-1) produced with technology and training from the UK and launched by Russia, 2000; opened a satellite data receiving station in 2003 and a mission control facility for communicating with orbiting spacecraft in 2005; first Malaysian astronaut (trained in Russia) in space on International Space Station, 2007; RS satellite (RazakSat) built with assistance from South Korea and launched on US commercial rocket, 2009; completed construction of a satellite assembly, integration, and testing facility, 2011; announced a national space policy to drive development in the domestic space sector through 2030, with a particular focus on the manufacturing of RS satellites, satellite components, and data-driven downstream services, 2017 (policy updated in 2021

Government spending: estimated $10-20 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: signed a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency, 2012; established a national space policy, 2017; established a $2 million national space fund to spur research, development, and innovation in the country’s space sector, 2018; announced an updated 5-year national space strategy, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first sounding (research) rocket (Tototl) launched, 1962 (reached 22km); additional sounding rocket launches conducted, 1967 and 1975 (program canceled in 1977); first communications satellite (Morelos-1) built by US and released from US Space Shuttle, 1985; first Mexican in space on US Space Shuttle, 1985 (Mexico also contributed science projects to Space Shuttle program); published a national space policy, 2011; foreign-acquired communications satellites launched as part of the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT), 2012 and 2015; stratospheric balloon flight carrying gondola (Nanoconect-1), 2017; worked with Argentina to establish the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), 2021; joined US NASA Artemis Accords for Moon exploration, 2021; ratified the creation of the ALCE headquarters in Mexico, thus formally establishing the agency, 2022; participating in US commercial Lunar lander program (2023-present

Government spending: estimated to be less than $10 million (2022)

activities, programs, and milestones: established satellite meteorological data receiving ground station, 1970-71; began participating in Soviet Interkosmos program in 1976, resulting in the first Mongolian cosmonaut in space on Salyut 6, 1981; began a long-term national satellite project with the goal of establishing a Mongolian spaceport to launch communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites, 2012; first communications satellite (Mongol Sat-1) built in partnership with a foreign commercial company and launched on US commercial rocket, 2017; first experimental RS/technology demonstrator cube satellite (Mazaalai) jointly built with Japan and launched on a US commercial rocket, 2017; reached agreement with Russia to train first female Mongolian astronaut, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first remote sensing (RS) microsatellite (Maroc-Tubset) jointly built with Germany and launched on Russian rocket, 2001; RS satellites (Mohammed VI-A, B) built and launched by European countries, 2017 and 2018

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: established space program, 1960s; developed advanced astronomical observatory satellites jointly with US, including the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS, launched 1974) and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS, launched 1983); first Dutch citizen in space on the US Space Shuttle, 1985; participated in all aspects of the International Space Station program (1998-present), including Dutch astronauts in 2004 and 2011; participating in a range of European Space Agency (ESA), EU, and international space programs, such as the Square Kilometer Array project (world’s largest radio telescope; 1993-present), ESA-EU Copernicus Earth observation program (1998-present), and the ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present); first experimental multipurpose nanosatellite (BRIK-II) for Dutch military launched on US commercial rocket, 2021; announced a Defense Space Agenda that included developing and owning its own constellation of communications and remote sensing satellites, 2022; partnering with Norway to test a Dutch-developed laser satellite communications system (2022-present); signed US-led Artemis Accords for responsible space and Lunar exploration, 2023

Government spending: contributed approximately $100 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: signed an agreement with the European Space Agency to establish a spacecraft tracking station, 2007; launched a 2-stage suborbital sounding rocket (Atea-1), 2009; passed national Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act, which regulates launches, launch facilities, payloads, and high-altitude vehicles, 2017; satellite placed in orbit on satellite launch vehicle built by a New Zealand-US commercial company and launched from a privately owned domestic launch site, 2018; began operations of the Kiwi Space Radar, which is designed to track debris as small as two centimeters in low Earth orbit, 2019; signed the US-led Artemis Accords for Lunar and Mars exploration missions, 2021

Government spending: approximately $20 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: joined UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 1994; announced intent to build communications satellite (NicaSat-1) with Chinese assistance and funding, 2013; Russia opened a satellite navigation system monitoring station in Nicaragua, 2017; signed convention establishing the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021

Government spending: not available; pledged to spend over $250 million on the NicaSat-1 program but status of program unclear

activities, programs, and milestones: adopted a national space program, 2001; first remote sensing (RS) microsatellite for disaster management (NigeriaSat-1) jointly built with the UK and launched by Russia, 2003; approved a 25-year space development road map (Horizon 2005-2030), 2005; first communications satellite (NigSatCom-1) built and launched by China, 2007 (failed in orbit, 2008); enacted a national space regulatory act, 2010; second communications satellite (NigSatCom-1R) built and launched by China, 2011; first domestically designed and built RS satellite (NigeriaSat-X) launched by Russia, 2011; in 2016, announced plans to achieve human space flight by 2030; domestically built scientific/educational satellite (EduSat-1) launched by US, 2017; inaugurated a geospatial data analysis center, 2019; by 2019 had launched more than 30 experimental sounding rockets; approved funding for purchasing a second communications satellite to augment NigSatCom-1R, 2022; signed US-led Artemis Accords for sustainable space exploration, 2022; first military RS/reconnaissance satellite (DelSat-1) launched by China, 2023

Government spending: estimated to be less than $100 million (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: initiated space program, 1980s; failed first attempt to place a satellite in orbit on a 3-stage satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) (Paektusan-1), 1998; failed attempts to place satellites in orbit on Unha-2 and Unha-3 SLVs, 2009 and 2012; completed construction of Sohae Satellite Launch Station, 2011; placed first satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 or Bright Star-3) successfully in orbit on Unha-3 SLV, 2012 (reportedly a remote sensing or RS/scientific data transmission satellite that failed to operate); announced law on space development and plans to form the NADA as the country’s space agency, 2013; established a satellite ground control station, 2015; second satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4) placed in orbit, 2016 (also reportedly an RS satellite that failed to operate); announced 5-year national space development plan with focus on putting RS/military reconnaissance satellites in orbit, 2017; claimed to have conducted testing of RS/military reconnaissance satellite technologies during two ballistic missile launches from mobile launchers at Sunan International Airport, 2022; conducted significant construction efforts on Sohae Satellite Launching Station and claimed that it successfully launched an RS testing satellite, 2022; successfully placed a military RS satellite (Malligyong-1) in orbit on Chollima-1 SLV after two previous failed attempts, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first research rocket launched, 1962; passed national space law, 1969; joined the European Space Agency (ESA), 1987; began operating first communications satellite (THOR-1), 1992; built first satellite (AISSat-1) to monitor from polar orbit in real time Automatic Identification Signals from ships to determine their position, speed, and direction (launched by India), 2010; launched two microsatellites (NorSat-1 and -2) to track commercial sea vessels, 2017; active in a range of ESA/EU/international space programs, such as the SOHO satellite-based solar observatory mission (1995), ESA Cassini-Huygens research probe mission to Saturn (1997-2017), ESA-EU Copernicus Earth observation program (1998-present), ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), and ESA Mars missions (ExoMars; 2016-present

Government spending: contributed approximately $80 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: announced plans to build a space research center, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: launched first rocket probe (Rehbar) into space, 1962; launched about 200 sounding rockets with some US assistance (1962-1972); participated in British satellite development/building program (1979-1984); first domestically built experimental satellite (Badr-1) launched by China, 1990; second experimental satellite (Badr-B) launched by Russia, 2001; first communications satellite (PakSat-1R) launched by China, 2011; successfully test-launched ballistic missile system (Shaheed-III), which was originally envisioned as a satellite launch vehicle (SLV) but evolved into a weapons system, 2017; announced a national space program (Space Vision 2047), 2017; launched remote sensing (PRSS-1) and technology evaluation (PakTES-1A) satellites, 2018; announced intentions to establish a space center and put a human in space with China’s assistance, 2018; signed an agreement with China on space exploration, 2019; in 2020, a Pakistani commercial company announced plans to put an SLV into orbit by 2025; China announced it would give priority to cooperation with Pakistan in the development of communication satellites and space station construction, and Pakistan signed an agreement with Turkey for joint production of communications satellites and other space projects, 2022; in 2023, joined China’s International Lunar Research Station program, which aims to construct a permanent lunar base in the 2030s

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: organized country’s first international conference on space issues, 2017; first research/technology demonstrator cube satellite (Guaranisat-1) built jointly with Japan, launched on US rocket, and deployed from International Space Station, 2021; signed protocols for the establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021; signed a letter of intent with a commercial satellite company in 2021 to develop a dedicated remote sensing satellite constellation

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: launched first domestically built sounding rocket/space probe (Paulet-1), which carried devices that could measure conditions in the upper atmosphere, 2006; first domestically built scientific/research satellite (PUCP-SAT-1) launched by Russia, 2013; launched first domestically built rocket (Paulet 1-B) capable of reaching the stratosphere, 2013 (carried atmospheric testing devices); first remote sensing satellite (PeruSat-1) acquired from France and launched on European rocket, 2016; signed on to the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, 2021; signed contract for commercial company to provide Peru’s first dedicated telecommunications satellite (Andesat-1) to expand Internet access in remote areas, while upgrading cellular services from 2G to 4G, 2021

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: formed a consortium of companies to acquire and operate satellites, 1994; purchased communications satellite (Agila-1) from Indonesia after it was already in orbit, 1996; communications satellite (Agila-2) acquired from US commercial company and launched by China, 1997; initiated a scientific remote sensing (RS) microsatellite development program in collaboration with Japan, 2014, resulting in first RS microsatellite (Diwata-1) being deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016; second RS microsatellite (Diwata-2) developed with assistance from and launched by Japan, 2018; first domestically designed and built scientific/technology demonstrator cube satellite (Maya-1) deployed from ISS, 2018; subsequent cube satellites (Maya 2, 3, 4) deployed from the ISS in 2021; passed space development act providing for the creation of the Philippines Space Agency (PhilSA) and a national space policy, 2018; in 2021, signed a space cooperation agreement with Japan and announced plans to acquire and launch a larger multi-spectral RS satellite by 2025

Government spending: PhilSA budget in 2021 was approximately $6.5 million; from 2010 until the creation of PhilSA in 2019, the Philippine Government spent an estimated $140 million on space-related research and development, education, training, and construction

activities, programs, and milestones: began cooperating with the European Space Agency (ESA), 1991 (joined 2012); first scientific nanosatellite (PW-Sat) built by Poland and launched on European rocket, 2012; participant in multiple ESA/EU/international programs, including Russian Koronas solar research missions (1994-2009), ESA Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017), EU Copernicus Earth observation program (1998-present), International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL; 2002-present), ESA’s Mars space exploration mission (2003-present), ESA’s Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), ESA’s Venus exploration mission (2005-2014), ESA-EU Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), ESA-NASA Mars robotic lander mission (2018-present), ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission (JUICE; launched 2023), US Curiosity (2011-present) and Insight Mars (2018-present) landers, ESA/Japan Bepi-Colombo mission to Mercury (2018-present), and EU government satellite communications (GovSatCom) program (2021-present); launched nanosatellite capable of deploying a drag parachute in space, 2018 (de-orbited in 2021); in 2020, a state-owned company announced plans to develop, build, and launch Poland’s first domestically produced communications satellite (Światowid) by 2023; joined US-led Artemis Accords for Moon/space exploration, 2021; in 2021, a consortium of local space companies began developing three nano-sized remote sensing/reconnaissance satellites for Poland’s armed forces to be placed into orbit in 2024

Government spending: contributed about $50 million to the ESA budget in 2023; in 2018, POLSA announced a planned space budget of approximately $420 million over the following 8 years

activities, programs, and milestones: first remote sensing (RS)/technology demonstrator microsatellite (PoSat-1) launched on a European commercial rocket, 1993; joined the European Space Agency (ESA), 2000; participating in multiple ESA/EU programs, including Copernicus Earth observation program (1998-present), ADRIOS Clean Space Initiative (2013-present), Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), and Solar Orbiter (2020-present); ratified a national space law and joined the Square Kilometer Array Observatory project, 2019; in 2020, launched Portugal Space 2030, a strategic plan for space programs, which included building a space port, developing a reusable rocket/satellite launch vehicle, growing its domestic commercial space sector, and establishing an RS satellite constellation

Government spending: in 2023, contributed more than $30 million to the ESA budget

activities, programs, and milestones: began participating in Soviet Intercosmos program, 1967; established the Romanian Commission for Space Activities to coordinate national space activities, 1968; first Romanian involvement in a space experiment, 1972; first Romanian in space on Soviet spacecraft, 1981; signed cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), 1992; began contributing financially to ESA in 2007 and joined in 2011; domestic commercial company launched first Romanian rocket to an altitude of 40,000 meters, 2010; first domestically produced scientific/experimental microsatellite (Goliat) launched but failed to operate, 2012; initiated national program to improve Romania's industrial competitiveness for ESA programs, 2012; participant in multiple ESA/EU/international space programs, including US space shuttle mission (2011), ESA/EU Ariane 6 rocket/satellite launch vehicle development (2013-present), International Space Station (2014-present), EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) program (2014-present), ESA/EU Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), ESA Galileo satellite navigation system (2016-present); joined US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration cooperation, 2022

Government spending: contributed about $60 million for ESA funding in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: placed world’s first satellite (Sputnik-1) in orbit, 1957; launched 20 successful Lunar missions (1959-1976), including the first Moon flyby in 1959; launched first human (1961), first woman (1963), and first multi-member crew (1964) into space; first Soviet communications satellite (Molniya-1) placed in orbit, 1965; first probe to make a successful hard landing on the Moon, 1966; initial launch of the Soyuz series spacecraft, 1967 (still in use in 2023); first Moon rover landed successfully, 1970; first space station (Salyut) and first crewed launch to a space station, 1971; successfully landed probe on the surface of Venus, 1971 (launched multiple interplanetary probes to Mars and Venus from the 1960s to the 1980s with mixed success); joint Soviet (Soyuz)-US (Apollo) space mission, 1975; operated Mir space station, 1986-2001; Global Navigation Satellite System (GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema or GLONASS) constellation completed, 1995 (capabilities degraded in late 1990s with full constellation of 24 satellites restored to providing global coverage in 2011); one of the main participants in the International Space Station program (1998-present); signed a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency, 2013; initial launch of Angara series of satellite/space launch vehicles (SLV), 2014; approved a 10-year federal space program that included bolstering the number of communications, navigational, and remote sensing satellites in orbit, 2015; participated in ESA Mars orbiter (ExoMars) program (2016-2022); announced development of Soyuz-6 rocket carrier and reusable SLV (Amur), 2020; in 2021, announced agreements with China to send a robotic probe to an asteroid in 2024 and jointly establish a Lunar station by mid-2030s; launch first of a planned series of Moon landers (Luna-25), 2023 (crashed on Moon's surface

Government spending: approximately $3-3.5 billion (2022); in 2015, approved a 10-year space budget of about $20 billion

activities, programs, and milestones: established a space working group to study the development of a space program and agency, 2017; signed cooperation agreement with Japan for training in designing and producing mini-satellites, 2018; first remote sensing (RS) nano-satellite (RWASAT-1) built with assistance from and launched by Japan, 2019; first commercial communications satellite (Icyerekezo) built and launched by France, 2019; announced a long-term space program aimed at growing the country’s use of space technologies and boosting research and development of space science, 2019; in 2021, announced that it was developing a national data hub to aggregate and analyze geospatial data and announced plans to launch two constellations of mini-RS satellites by the end of 2023; signed US-led Artemis Accords for sustainable space exploration, 2022

Government spending: not available; as of 2020, was spending about $1 million annually to acquire and process satellite imagery

activities, programs, and milestones: first communications satellite (Arabsat-1A) built and launched by European commercial companies, 1985; first Saudi (and first from a Middle Eastern country) astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle, 1985; a total of seven domestically built amateur micro communications satellites (SaudiComsats) launched by Russia, 2004-07; first domestically built experimental remote sensing (RS) satellite (SaudiSat-2) launched by Russia, 2004; signed space cooperation agreement with Russia, 2017; signed a memorandum of understanding with China worth approximately $65 billion that included participating in China’s Moon rover mission and launching a Saudi RS satellite, 2017; first geostationary communications satellite (SGS-1) built jointly with US commercial company and launched on a European rocket, 2019; signed charter for the Arab Space Cooperation Group, 2020; domestically built maritime tracking satellite (Shaheen Sat) launched by Russia, 2021; participating in Russian astronaut training program (2021-present); in 2022, signed US-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and announced plans to send two Saudi astronauts to the International Space Station

Government spending: in 2020, pledged to spend approximately $2 billion on space programs by 2030; provided about 37% of the ArabSat’s more than $500 million budget in 2021

activities, programs, and milestones: first commercial communications mini-satellite (UoSAT-12) built jointly with a UK company and launched by Russia, 1999; first indigenously built communications and remote sensing (RS) satellite (X-Sat) launched by India, 2011; launched first in a series of indigenously produced pico-satellites (VELOX) for scientific studies and testing, 2013; produced world’s first satellite (VELOX-II) with satellite-to-satellite communications technology and capable of communicating with other commercial geosynchronous satellites at any time and any place in space, 2015 (launched by India); first domestically manufactured commercial RS satellite (TeLEOS-1) launched by India, 2015; tested an indigenously produced satellite (Galassia) with a quantum-based communications payload, 2015; commercial communications satellite (Kacific-1) built jointly with Japan and launched on US rocket, 2019; signed US-led Artemis Accords on space exploration, 2022; communications demonstrator (LUMELIT-4) and synthetic aperture radar RS (TeLEOS-2) satellites by India, 2023

Government spending: budgeted approximately $115 million to space research and development in 2022

activities, programs, and milestones: first Slovak-developed and manufactured satellite (SkCube; educational/technology demonstrator satellite) launched by India, 2017; became an Associate Member State of the European Space Agency, 2022

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: established a satellite remote sensing (RS)/radio astronomy center, 1976 (originally built by US NASA in 1961 to receive data from US space missions); conducted program to launch reconnaissance satellites on a domestically produced satellite launch vehicle, 1980s (abandoned in 1994 along with nuclear program); passed Space Affairs Act, 1993; first domestically built RS/technology demonstrator microsatellite (Sunsat-1) launched on US rocket, 1999; first government owned and operated RS/scientific/technology demonstrator satellite (SumbandilaSat) launched by Russia, 2009; inaugurated a radio space telescope array (Karoo Array Telescope or MeerKAT), 2018; domestically produced RS/communications nanosatellite (ZACube-2) for monitoring disasters and the maritime economy launched by Russia, 2018; began construction of the international Square Kilometer Array radio telescope observatory, 2021; successfully launched a sounding rocket for research purposes to an altitude of nearly 18,000 km, 2021; signed an agreement with US NASA in 2022 to formalize a space exploration partnership, including the establishment of a new communications facility in South Africa to support the US Artemis Lunar mission program; announced plans to produce first domestic communications satellite and inaugurated Africa’s first regional space weather center, 2022; in 2023, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China National Space Administration to participate in China's International Lunar Research Station Cooperation project, which aims to establish a Lunar base in the 2030s

Government spending: estimated $50 million (2020)

activities, programs, and milestones: first domestically made technology demonstrator satellite (KITSAT-1) launched on European rocket, 1992; launched first single-stage sounding (research) rocket (KSR-1) in 1993 and first 2-stage sounding rocket (KSR-2) in 1998; first domestically built multi-purpose satellite (KOMPSAT-1, aka Arirang-1) launched on US rocket, 1999; first South Korean astronaut in space on International Space Station, 2008; Naro Space Center completed, 2009; first successful satellite launch on Korean satellite launch vehicle (SLV) (KSLV-1; built with some Russian assistance), 2013; first military-only communications satellite (Anasis-II) launched on US commercial rocket, 2020; maiden launch of domestically built KSLV-2 (aka Nuri) 3-stage SLV, 2021 (completed full flight sequence but failed to place a mock payload in orbit); signed the US-led Artemis Accords for Lunar exploration, 2021; in 2021, announced plans to develop a microsatellite remote sensing (RS)/reconnaissance constellation by 2025 and a domestic satellite network capable of handling 6G technology by 2031; began development of the Korea Positioning System satellite navigational network, 2022; first fully successful launch of KSLV-2/Nuri and first successful attempt to place satellites into orbit on the Nuri, 2022; Lunar orbiter (Danuri) reaches Moon's orbit, 2022 (launched on US commercial rocket); also in 2022, announced intentions to land a robotic spacecraft on the Moon by 2032 and on Mars by 2045 and to build a 2-stage SLV powerful enough to place 10 tons in low Earth orbit or 3.7 tons into geostationary orbit; third successful launch of Nuri SLV placed eight small satellites in orbit, including a RS satellite (NexSat-2) with radar imaging technology, 2023

Government spending: approximately $675 million (2023); from 2010 to 2021, the South Korean Government spent approximately $1.8 billion on its space program and in 2021 pledged to spend another $1.4 billion over the next 10 years on key space capabilities; President YOON Suk-yeol in 2022 further pledged to double the annual space budget and invest over $70 billion into the space sector by 2045

activities, programs, and milestones: worked with the US to establish a space tracking station for NASA and began cooperating with the European Space Research Organization (ESRO), the forerunner of the European Space Agency (ESA), 1960; launched first sounding rocket, 1966 (program lasted until the 1990s); first technology/scientific satellite (IntaSat) launched on US rocket, 1974; satellite launch vehicle (SLV) development program (Capricornio), 1990s (canceled in 2000); first communications satellite (Hispasat 1A) launched on European rocket, 1992; first astronaut on US Space Shuttle, 1998 (trained by US and Russia); participating in multiple ESA and EU space programs, including Space Situational Awareness (SSA; 2009-present), Gaia astronomy/star-mapping satellite (2013-present), Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST; 2014-present), Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), Mars orbiter (ExoMars; 2016-present), and Mercury planetary orbiter (BepiColombo; 2018-present); first synthetic aperture radar remote sensing (RS)/reconnaissance satellite (Paz) launched on US commercial SLV, 2018; first RS/optical imaging satellite (SEOSat-Ingenio) destroyed upon launch, 2020; test launch of first Spanish-built recoverable SLV (Miuri-1), 2023; joined US-led Artemis Accords, 2023

Government spending: the space agency's budget falls under the Ministry of Defense; Spain contributed nearly $300 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: first commercial communications satellite (SupremeSat-1) built by a French company and launched by China, 2012 (Sri Lanka leases part of the satellite’s payload); first Sri Lankan satellite (Raavena-1; a research cube satellite designed and built with Japanese assistance) launched on US rocket and released from International Space Station, 2019

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: established a space technology center, 2000; established first satellite ground station, 2011; produced cube satellite prototype (ISRASAT-1), 2016; announced plans to acquire communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites, 2016; first RS satellite (SRSS-1) built and launched by China, 2019

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: space program initiated in the 1950s with the establishment of a space observatory and the Swedish Space Research Committee; launched first sounding rocket, 1961; first scientific satellite (Viking) launched on European rocket, 1986; first communications satellite (Tele-X) launched on European rocket, 1989; first Swedish astronaut into space on US Space Shuttle, 2006; began participating in French-led Pleiades project for sharing multi-spectral, high-resolution satellite imagery, 2011; participates in multiple European Space Agency/EU/international space programs, including Copernicus Earth observation program (2014-present), the Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), and the Square Kilometer Array Project, the world’s largest radio telescope (construction started, 2018); established a space data lab for artificial intelligence-based analysis of imagery data, 2019

Government spending: contributed more than $90 million to the ESA budget in 2023; approximately 70% of SNSA’s budget is devoted to international cooperation

activities, programs, and milestones: first Swiss astronaut into space on the US Space Shuttle, 1992; first Swiss-produced scientific cube satellite (SwissCube) launched by India, 2009; participates in numerous European Space Agency (ESA) programs, including Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), Venus exploration mission (2005-2014), Galileo global navigation satellite system (2016-present), characterizing exoplanet satellite (CHEOPS) mission (2019-present), and the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission (launched 2023); in 2018, a Swiss private enterprise began launching a constellation of small satellites designed to provide Internet connectivity to a broad range of devices with the intent of enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) to work more smoothly (the constellation is intended to include 100 satellites by 2024 and cover the surface of the entire Earth

Government spending: contributed about $195 million to the ESA budget in 2023

activities, programs, and milestones: first and only Syrian astronaut into space as part of a Soviet crewed mission to the Mir Space Station under the Intercosmos program, 1987; signed a scientific cooperation agreement in the field of space technology and remote sensing with Russia, 2016; announced that developing a satellite would be a primary goal of the space program, 2018

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first national space program focused on remote sensing (RS) and meteorological satellites (1991-2004); launched sounding (suborbital) rocket program, 1998; first scientific satellite (FORMOSAT-1) built and launched by the US, 1999; second national space program focused on developing capabilities in key spacecraft components and instruments (2004-2018); first RS satellite (FORMOSAT-2) built by a French company and launched by US, 2004; first launch of an experimental hybrid rocket, 2011; first indigenously built RS satellite (FORMOSAT-5) launched by US, 2017; third national space program, focusing on increasing the country’s ability to independently develop space technology and expanding space technology research, launched in 2019; passed a Space Development Promotion Act in 2021 encouraging private sector participation in the country’s space industries and launched project to manufacture first low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellite by 2025; developing a commercial 3-stage hybrid-engine rocket (Hapith-5; 2021-present); launched first domestically made RS/meteorological satellite (FormoSat-7R/Triton) on European launch vehicle, 2023

Government spending: as part of the third national space program launch in 2019, approved an $850 million investment over a 10-year period in collaboration with the country’s private space sector; in 2021, approved $140 million for first LEO communications satellite project

activities, programs, and milestones: established a ground station to receive and utilize data from a US earth resources technology satellite, 1971; established first satellite ground station, 1982; first foreign-built commercial communications satellite (Thaicom-1) launched on European rocket, 1993; signed bilateral agreement with France to co-develop a remote sensing (RS) satellite in 2004, resulting in the launch of the country’s first RS satellite (Theos-1, aka Thaichote) on a Russian rocket, 2008; drafted a 20-year national space program for boosting space capabilities, including domestic production of satellites, placing an astronaut on the International Space Station, and developing space infrastructure, 2017; first domestically produced scientific/research satellite (KNACKSAT) launched on US commercial rocket, 2018; established a military space operations center, 2019; first military RS nano-satellite (Napa-1) built by a Dutch company and launched on European rocket in 2020 with Napa-2 launched by US the following year; in 2021, enacted a Space Activities Act to establish a space agency and promote space-related economy and technologies; also in 2021, announced a joint government-commercial Thai Space Consortium (TSC) project to launch five domestically made satellites by 2027; approved a 15-year (2023-2037) national space plan and the drafting of a national communication satellite policy, 2022; launched RS satellite (Thailand Earth Observation System-2 or THEOS-2) on European launch vehicle, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: with French cooperation, launched a pilot remote sensing project utilizing satellite images to study agricultural production, erosion mapping, land use, and water resources in the country’s arid zones, 1975; began hosting the main office of the North African States Regional Center for Remote Sensing in Tunis, 1990; began hosting first overseas ground monitoring station for China’s Beidou satellite navigation system, 2018; first domestically produced scientific/research microsatellite (Challenge 1) launched on a Russian rocket, 2021; announced plans for Russia to train Tunisian astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station, 2021; hosted an Africa-Japan conference on cube satellite technology, 2022

Government spending: as of 2018, devoted about 1.25% of its annual government budget to scientific research

activities, programs, and milestones: first commercial communications satellite built jointly with and launched by France, 1994; first domestically built experimental remote sensing (RS) satellite (BILSAT) launched on Russian rocket, 2003; second domestically built RS satellite (RASAT) launched on Russian rocket, 2011; first high-resolution RS satellite (Göktürk-2) launched on Chinese rocket, 2012; launched first domestically produced solid-fuel sounding rocket 135km into space, 2018; in 2021, announced a 10-year national space program, which included development of satellites, a Moon probe, space launch capabilities, a regional satellite positioning system, space observational/tracking systems, an astronaut program, and space industries; also in 2021, successfully test launched a hybrid rocket that is planned to be used to put a satellite in orbit in 2023 and land a probe on the Moon by 2028; signed a contract with a commercial company to send Turkey’s first astronaut into space, 2022; intends to launch first domestically built communications satellite (Turksat-6) in 2024

Government spending: estimates for the entire space program range as high as $1 billion, including more than $500 million for the acquisition of Turksat-6 satellite (2022); Moon landing mission is estimated to eventually cost over $1 billion

activities, programs, and milestones: first commercial telecommunications satellite (TurkmenAlem 520E) built by European company and launched on US commercial rocket, 2015; announced that it had agreed to the technical requirements for the design, construction, and launch of its first remote sensing satellite, 2019

Government spending: in 2018, pledged to invest approximately $350 million to develop the country’s space industry through 2024

activities, programs, and milestones: announced satellite development program, 2019; first cube remote sensing/research satellite (PearlAfricaSat-1) built jointly with Japanese engineers, launched on US rocket, and released from International Space Station, 2022

Government spending: as of 2021, had committed more than $2 million towards development of space technology and satellite tracking infrastructure

activities, programs, and milestones: first domestically produced remote sensing (RS) satellite (Sich-1) launched on Ukrainian Tsyklon-3 rocket, 1995; established space control and test facility, 1996; first Ukrainian astronaut (cosmonaut) in space on US Space Shuttle, 1997; first launch of Ukrainian produced satellite launch vehicle (SLV), Dnipro-1, which was based on a Soviet SS-18 ICBM, 1999 (placed a British satellite into orbit); signed space cooperation agreements with the European Space Agency (ESA) and US NASA, 2008; first launch of Zenit-3SLB, a domestically produced SLV (carried an Israeli satellite into orbit), 2008; provided first stage of US commercial Antares SLV program (2013-present); launched first domestically produced microsatellite (PolyITAN-1), 2014; joint project with Canada to launch a Ukrainian commercially developed heavy SLV (Cyclone-4) from a Canadian spaceport (2017-present); provided fourth-stage engine for ESA/Italian VEGA SLV program (2018-present); signed US-led Artemis Accords, an international agreement to establish rules to encourage and guide Lunar exploration, 2020; first successful launch of joint Ukrainian-US commercial light SLV (Alpha), 2021; domestically produced RS microsatellite (Sich 2-30) launched on US commercial rocket, 2022

Government spending: $1 billion was approved for the rocket and space industry for the period 2018-2022 but unclear how much was actually allocated

activities, programs, and milestones: initiated a national space sector in 1997 with the establishment of a satellite communications company; established a second satellite communications company in 2007; remote sensing (RS) satellites (DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2) jointly developed with South Korea and launched by Russia in 2009 and 2013; in 2017, announced Mars 2117 project, which included building a “Mars Science City” as the first step in an effort to establish a human settlement on Mars within 100 years; first domestically designed and built RS satellite (KhalifaSat or DubaiSat-3) launched by Japan, 2018; passed a federal law regulating the country’s space sector and led effort to establish an 11-member Arab Space Cooperation Group, 2019; first UAE astronaut (trained by Russia and US) to space on the International Space Station (ISS), 2019; signed US-led Artemis Accords for setting standards and principles for responsible exploration of space, 2020; first military RS/reconnaissance satellite built by Europe-based companies and launched on a European rocket, 2020; became first Arab country to successfully place a probe/orbiter (al Amal or Hope) in Mars orbit, 2021 (built jointly with US and launched on Japanese rocket in 2020); in 2021, announced plans to launch a probe in 2028 to explore Venus and land on an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter; domestically built rover (Rashid) launched on US commercial rocket in 2022 for Moon landing on a Japanese commercial lander in 2023 (crashed and lost on Moon’s surface, April 2023); also in 2022, initiated work towards building and launching a constellation of small radar RS satellites with first launch planned for 2025; first Emirati astronaut to embark on long-duration space flight to International Space Station on US commercial rocket, 2023

Government spending: in 2022, pledged to spend more than $800 million in the private space sector to grow the country’s capabilities in space over the next 10 years; spent an estimated $400 million between 2014 and 2022; as of 2021, the UAE Space Agency had reportedly received more than $5 billion in government, private, and semi-private support, and the UAE Government had invested nearly $6 billion in its space industry sector; Mars probe mission costs were approximately $200 million

activities, programs, and milestones: first suborbital sounding rocket (Skylark) launched, 1957; initiated research satellite program (Ariel) with first launch on US rocket, 1962 (program lasted until the 1980s); initiated development of Black Arrow SLV program, 1964; first successful launch of 2-stage Black Arrow SLV, 1969; launched first of Skynet family of military communications satellites, 1969; first successful placement of satellite (scientific satellite Prospero) in orbit on a 3-stage Black Arrow satellite launch vehicle (SLV), 1971; founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA), 1975; first British astronaut into space to Russian Mir space station, 1991; sent lander/probe (Beagal-2) to Mars as part of ESA Mars Express mission, 2003 (lost contact with probe upon entry into Mars atmosphere); first British astronaut on International Space Station, 2015; passed a space industry law that allowed for the construction of commercial spaceports in the UK, 2018; participating in US/NASA Gateway Lunar orbital station program (2019-present); signed US-led Artemis Accords for exploration of space and the Moon, 2020; participating in James Webb Space Telescope program, launched in 2021; began manufacture of Skynet 6, the latest Skynet communications satellite constellation, 2021 (scheduled launch in 2025); announced national space strategy in 2021 that included growing country’s space economy, promoting an “open and stable international order” in space, supporting research and innovation, defending national interests, and using space for national and global challenges like climate change

Government spending: contributed over $600 million to the ESA (over 12% of the ESA’s budget) in 2023; in 2022, pledged about $6.5 billion over a 10-year period to improving the UK’s secure satellite communications, space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and other space technologies and capabilities

note: the UK was part of several EU-sponsored space programs until it departed the EU in 2020, including the Galileo global positioning system and the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) project; it remained part of the Copernicus Earth observation and Horizon Europe research and innovation programs after 2020; the UK’s departure from the EU did not affect its participation in ESA programs, and the UK has participated or continues to participate in multiple ESA programs, including Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn (1997-2017), Mars Express space exploration missions (2003-present), Rosetta comet probe (2004-2016; world’s first landing on a comet, 2014), Venus exploration mission (2005-2014), and Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission (launched in 2023)

activities, programs, and milestones: initiated a rocket program in the 1940s and sent a mammal into space in 1949; X-15 rocket-powered hypersonic research aircraft (1954-1968); Project Mercury first manned space flights (1958-1963); Project Gemini longer-duration manned flights in preparation for Moon landings (1961-1966); Project Apollo Moon landings (1961-1972); launched world’s first privately-sponsored communications satellite (Telstar), 1962; launched first successful Mars probe (Mariner), 1964; placed first man on the Moon, 1969; operated Skylab space station (1965-1979); conducted Apollo-Soyuz joint US-Soviet crewed missions (1972-1975); sent Voyager probes to Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond the solar system (1977-present; Voyager 1 was the first space craft to reach interstellar space in 2012); first women astronauts selected, 1978; operated Space Shuttle program, the world’s first re-usable space orbiters (1980s-2011); launched and operated Hubble Space Telescope (1990-present); major participant in International Space Station (1993-present); planetary rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) launched in 2003 and active on surface of Mars (2004-2010 and 2004-2018, respectively); sponsored Commercial Crew Program, an effort to conduct human spaceflight in conjunction with private aerospace industry (2011-present); launched orbital probe (Juno) to study Jupiter, 2011 (mission scheduled to at least 2025); launched Parker Solar Probe to the Sun, 2018; initiated Artemis Lunar landing project in 2017 and Gateway Lunar Orbital Station project in 2019; launched James Webb Space Telescope, 2021 (European Space Agency contributed launch vehicle and launch site); surface/planetary rover vehicle (Perseverance) successfully lands on surface of Mars, 2021; launched Lucy space probe to study the Trojan asteroids, a cloud of space rocks located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, 2021 (reached destination, September 2023); launched first Artemis Lunar mission, 2022; OSIRIS-REx space capsule returns largest ever asteroid sample to Earth, 2023 (mission launched in 2016 and landed on asteroid Bennu in 2020); launched probe (Psyche) on 6-year mission to explore a metal-covered asteroid, 2023

Government spending: $25.45 billion for NASA (2023); approximately $26.3 billion for military space activities, including US Space Force (2021)

activities, programs, and milestones: built an educational/technology demonstrator cube satellite, which was launched by Russia in 2014

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: signed an agreement with Russia to acquire satellites, 2001; signed space cooperation agreements with France and India, 2018; signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on space cooperation with South Korea, 2019; in 2020, drafted a law on space activities and a state-sponsored program for the development of the country’s space industry through 2030; signed agreement on space exploration with Kazakhstan, 2021; signed a MoU with a British commercial satellite communications provider to explore bringing high-speed, low-latency broadband satellite connectivity to the country in order to boost economic digitalization, 2022

Government spending: not available

note: the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute (UBAI) of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences is the oldest scientific institution in Uzbekistan and in Central Asia; it was founded as Tashkent Astronomical Observatory in 1873 and reorganized as UBAI in 1966; Uzbekistan also has an astronomical observatory at Maidanak

activities, programs, and milestones: signed space cooperation partnership with China, 2005; first communications satellite (Venesat-1 or Bolivar), financed, built, and launched by a commercial state-owned company of China, 2008 (inoperable as of 2020); first remote sensing (RS) satellite (VRSS-1 or Miranda) built and launched by China, 2012; second RS satellite (VRSS-2 or Sucre) built and launched by China, 2014; signed the articles of agreement for the establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), 2021 (ALCE was formally established in 2022); joined China-led project to construct a permanent Lunar base by the 2030s, 2023

Government spending: not available

activities, programs, and milestones: first Vietnamese astronaut/cosmonaut into space on Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, 1980; launched first government space strategy, 2006; first telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-1) built by US company and launched on European rocket, 2008; first educational/scientific cube satellite (F-1) built jointly with and launched by Japan, 2012; second telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-2) built by US company and launched on European rocket, 2012; first domestically built remote sensing (RS)/technology demonstrator cube satellite (PicoDragon) launched by Japan, 2013; first RS satellite (VNREDSat-1a or Vietnam Natural Resources, Environment and Disaster Monitoring Satellite) built and launched by a European company, 2013; signed an agreement with India allowing it to establish a satellite tracking and imaging center in Ho Chi Minh City in exchange for access to imagery from Indian RS satellites that cover the region, 2016; opened national space observatory, 2017; completed National Space Center in Hanoi, 2018; second domestically manufactured RS satellite (Micro-Dragon) launched by Japan, 2019; Aerospace Applications Center in Ho Chi Minh City completed, 2020; in 2021, announced a developmental roadmap for producing “Made in Vietnam” small satellites as part of a larger effort to increase space sciences and technology through 2030; signed an agreement with Japan to increase cooperation on space defense, 2021

Government spending: not available; allocated about $12 million for space-related projects (2012-2017

activities, programs, and milestones: BIRDS-5 project with Japan initiated, 2020; established satellite ground communications station and completed national wetlands mapping project, 2021; first nano-sized remote sensing/scientific/data transmission satellite (ZIMSAT-1) with a multi-spectral camera built with Japan’s assistance and launched by Japan under the BIRDs-5 project, 2022; began preliminary technical work for the development of a communications satellite (ZIMSAT-2), 2022

Government spending: set aside $300 million in 2023 government budget for the development of ZIMSAT-2