Kazakhstan launches space telescope in Chile as part of global astronomy network

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan has launched a space telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert, marking a major step in the country’s participation in international space research and deep-sky observation.

The announcement was made Thursday by Kazakhstan’s Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, according to the state-run Kazinform News Agency. The new telescope has been installed at the Obstech Observatory in northern Chile, a globally renowned site for astronomical observation due to its high altitude, clear skies, and minimal light pollution.

The project is part of a broader initiative to build an international network of telescopes dedicated to studying asteroids, Gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei, and variable stars. It also aims to develop a scalable hardware and software platform with automated control systems and standardized data-sharing protocols, enabling more seamless collaboration across research institutions.

Denis Yurin, head of the Institute’s Theoretical Astrophysics Department, said the Atacama Desert was chosen for its superior observing conditions compared to local options in Kazakhstan. “The unique geography of Atacama makes it ideal for cutting-edge astronomical work,” he noted in an earlier statement.

The deployment aligns with growing efforts by emerging space programs to contribute to global astrophysical research. Earlier this year, the COSMOS-Web project—part of the James Webb Space Telescope initiative—released 1.5 terabytes of deep-space data, representing the most detailed survey of the universe ever shared publicly.

Kazakhstan’s participation in such ventures reflects its ambitions to expand its scientific footprint and deepen cooperation with international partners in space science.