VIENNA, — 30 June (UN Information Service) — The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Exolaunch GmbH (Exolaunch) are pleased to announce that institutions from Bolivia, Guatemala, Jordan, and Nepal have been selected to deploy their CubeSats using Exolaunch's EXOpod Nova deployment system. The EXOpod opportunity, part of UNOOSA's flagship “Access to Space for All” initiative, includes fully funded launch slots for each mission. All four projects aim to build local expertise, advance national development priorities and contribute to the global space community.

Students and engineers at Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo plan to build Bolivia's first nanosatellite, Waskiri-Sat, which will use advanced onboard AI and multispectral cameras to collect data to support research, government, and industry. A partnership with with Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan will support testing. The project aims to build Bolivia's capacity in space research & development, inspire future generations, and promote gender equality.

Undergraduate students, faculty and researchers at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala will develop QUETZAL-2, the country's second satellite, to test new technologies for cloud detection and safe deorbiting. The mission supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals and aims to inspire Guatemalan youth to explore science and engineering by providing hands-on learning in space technology.

A team at Al Hussein Technical University in Jordan will launch a CubeSat to help protect endangered native wildlife by enabling real-time tracking, particularly in remote reserves where no terrestrial networks exist. Combining conservation with education, the project will train students to design and operate the satellite and build ground stations for satellite telemetry, laying the foundation for Jordan's emerging space sector.

Antarikchya Pratisthan Nepal will launch Slippers2Sat-2, a satellite designed for disaster observation and management, to monitor floods and detect earthquake precursors while introducing space science to students from marginalized communities. Building on the success of Nepal's first student satellite, the project will share its designs and data openly to foster equal opportunities in space exploration.

This announcement follows a strong global response to the call for applications, with 17 proposals submitted by institutions from 15 countries, underscoring the growing international demand for inclusive access to space and the need for practical launch opportunities for emerging space nations.

The initiative builds on the collaboration announced on 31 January 2024, through which UNOOSA and Exolaunch committed to supporting equitable access to outer space and strengthening national space capacity through hands-on deployment opportunities.

Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, said: “This partnership with Exolaunch is a powerful example of how collaboration between the United Nations and industry can drive progress in building space capabilities where they are needed most. By enabling direct, hands-on access to space, we are helping countries build lasting space capabilities that empower future generations. These missions embody the spirit of international cooperation and reaffirm the importance of ensuring that the benefits of space are shared by all.”

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany with offices in the United States, France, and Japan, Exolaunch is a global leader in small satellite deployment and launch mission integration. The company's flight-proven EXOpod deployers have supported over three dozen missions, enabling the successful launch of hundreds of satellites.

Jeanne Allarie, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Exolaunch, said: “Promoting sustainable access to space has been at the core of our business since the company was founded over a decade ago. The applicants for this award represent an inspiring cross-section of global creativity and the desire to improve their local community and beyond. We were impressed with the proposals and encourage all teams to continue pursuing their dreams in space. The opportunity to contribute to the Access to Space for All initiative of UNOOSA through the award of these launch opportunities continues the legacy of supporting the New Space economy and leading the industry towards building a future where everyone has access to the benefits of space activities.”

By participating in Access to Space for All, the selected countries are taking a significant step toward building domestic space expertise, establishing national infrastructure and governance frameworks, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. This opportunity marks another milestone in the global effort to ensure that space remains a domain open to all nations, regardless of their level of development.

About UNOOSA

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) promotes international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of outer space, and in the utilization of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. Based in Vienna, Austria, UNOOSA serves as the secretariat for the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which is the leading international forum on key topics, including: space sustainability, space resources, sustainable lunar activities.

UNOOSA assists Member States with capacity-building on space law, policy, science and technology. It has a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes in partnership with governments, space agencies, industry and academia.

About Exolaunch

Exolaunch is a global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration and satellite deployment technologies. With a decade of flight heritage and 576 satellites launched across 38 missions to date, Exolaunch leverages industry insight to tailor turnkey solutions that meet customer needs and respond to market trends. Exolaunch fulfills launch contracts for industry leaders, the world's most innovative startups, research institutions, government organizations, and international space agencies. The company develops and manufactures its own flight-proven and industry-leading satellite separation systems and payload launch stacks, with the fastest-growing heritage on the market.

Exolaunch, headquartered in Germany, operates globally with offices in the US, France, and Japan. Exolaunch promotes safe, sustainable, and responsible use of space and is committed to making space accessible for all.

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