China’s Star Vision to launch Samarkand-2028 Earth observation satellite on 5 August

China's Star Vision is preparing to launch the Samarkand-2028 hyperspectral Earth observation satellite on August 5, with the mission scheduled to lift off from a sea-based platform off the coast of Shandong province. The launch window is set between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Tashkent time.

A key feature of the Samarkand-2028 satellite is its artificial intelligence module, a product of collaboration with Uzcosmos specialists. This AI module is designed to process hyperspectral data directly in orbit, a capability that promises to significantly enhance the efficiency of Earth observation tasks. The data gathered by the satellite is intended for use across various sectors, including agriculture, ecology, and the monitoring of natural resources, according to the Digital Technologies Ministry.

The joint Uzbek-Chinese mission, first announced in November 2025, carries the name Samarkand-2028 to commemorate the city's selection to host the International Astronautical Congress in 2028. This initiative is part of Uzbekistan's broader ambitions in space exploration. The country is also developing its first 6U scientific CubeSat, named after the scholar Mirzo Ulugbek, for launch in 2028, and is exploring plans for its first national cosmonaut mission.