Uzbekistan to send its first astronaut into space in 2028
Uzbekistan’s Space Research and Technology Agency Uzbekcosmos intends to send the nation’s first native astronaut into space by October 2028, aligning the mission with the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Samarkand, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Uzbekcosmos Agency Deputy Director Mukhiddin Ibragimov announced that the initial flight is slated to last 10 to 14 days. He noted that the department is currently engaged in negotiations with the U.S., Russia, and China.
The U.S. and Russia send astronauts to one international space station. China has its own separate station. Right now, we are negotiating with all parties. Each of them has expressed willingness to cooperate. When our astronaut flies into space, they will not return to Earth empty-handed, but with the results of a specific experiment at a minimum, he stated.
Applicants must be aged 27-40, weigh between 50-95 kg, and stand 160-190 cm tall. Essential qualifications include a university degree and proficiency in foreign languages. The selected candidate will undergo training in a partner country.
Selection of candidates for the national program is managed by a government commission. Uzbekcosmos has clarified that the first mission will not involve extravehicular activity (EVA), which is typical only for long-term missions lasting over six months.
Previously, Qazinform reported Uzbekistan is set to launch its first 6U scientific satellite.
