For decades, a few major nations led in space exploration and satellite missions. Today, however, many more countries have started national space programs. Governments everywhere are building satellites, developing rockets, and even planning missions to the Moon and beyond. These activities serve practical goals (like weather monitoring, communications, and navigation) and also offer scientific research and national prestige. This article highlights several countries with growing space programs, describing recent milestones and future plans.

Asia and the Pacific

In Asia, both long-established and newer space programs are active. China and India remain major players: China has its own crewed space station (Tiangong), robotic lunar landers (Chang’e series), and the Beidou navigation satellite system. India’s space agency (ISRO) has achieved important successes: in 2023 its Chandrayaan-3 mission soft-landed on the Moon’s south pole, and the Aditya-L1 probe was sent to study the Sun. India is also planning a crewed spaceflight in the near future. Japan’s space agency (JAXA) continues asteroid-sample returns (Hayabusa missions) and is developing new rockets like the H3.

At the same time, several Asian countries are launching their first satellites or developing rockets:

• South Korea: The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (now KASA) successfully put satellites into orbit in 2023 using its Nuri rocket, Korea’s first fully homegrown launch vehicle. Several more launches are planned by 2027. South Korea is also working on spy satellites and exploring lunar mission concepts.
• Indonesia: Indonesia’s space agency has begun building small satellites and launched rocket test vehicles. The country plans to launch around 19 satellites in the next few years as part of its national “space map” vision. Indonesia is also exploring the idea of a domestic spaceport near the equator.
• Malaysia: Malaysia created the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) and has already launched communications satellites (the MEASAT series) via foreign rockets. Malaysia is developing its own small launchers and satellites, and has trained astronauts in cooperation with other countries.
• Vietnam: Vietnam’s government launched its first Earth-observation satellite in 2013 and its own radar imaging satellite in 2019 (using foreign launch services). Plans include more observation satellites and building local satellite-design expertise.
• Philippines: The Philippines established PhilSA (Philippine Space Agency) in 2019. It has launched several small science satellites (Diwata series) with help from Japan. The agency plans to develop its own satellite launch capability by the mid-2020s.
• Bangladesh: Bangladesh flew its first communications satellite (Bangabandhu-1) in 2018 on a SpaceX rocket. The country’s Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization plans additional satellites for communications and remote sensing.
• Pakistan: Pakistan’s space agency (SUPARCO) has launched Earth-imaging and communications satellites (often on Chinese rockets) and operates weather satellites. Pakistan is pursuing development of local rockets and plans to build more satellite platforms in the future.
• Other countries: Several other Asian nations have entry-level space programs. For example, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and North Korea have all put up small satellites or tested rockets in recent years. Many Southeast Asian nations (Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh) have built small satellites with international partners.

Middle East

A number of Middle Eastern countries have launched space programs in the last decade:

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE Space Agency oversaw the Hope Mars probe, which successfully entered Martian orbit in 2021. Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is building the “Rashid” lunar rover (though its 2023 attempt failed) and plans future lunar missions. The UAE has also launched several Earth observation and communication satellites. Long-term, the UAE discusses ambitious ideas like a Mars settlement (the “Mars 2117” project) and continuing scientific satellite launches.
• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s newly formed Space Commission has begun building satellites and funding space research. In 2023, two Saudi astronauts visited the International Space Station as guests of NASA. Saudi Arabia plans communication and remote-sensing satellites and is studying investment in space technology, leveraging its existing satellite firm Arabsat and partnerships with other space agencies.
• Israel: Israel’s Israel Space Agency (ISA) has a mature program of military and civilian satellites. Israel developed the small Beresheet Moon lander, which attempted a landing in 2019 (it crashed on touchdown). A follow-up lunar program (“Beresheet 2”) is in development, as is a lunar communications orbiter. Israel also regularly launches intelligence and communication satellites through local companies (like Israel Aerospace Industries).
• Turkey: Türkiye Space Agency (TUA) and state organizations have launched national Earth observation satellites (Göktürk) and communication satellites (Türksat). Türkiye is building its first satellites with domestic technology. Turkish Aerospace Industries and Roketsan are jointly developing a national satellite launcher (based on designs from Ukraine). The government has an ambition to send an astronaut to the ISS in the mid-2020s.
• Iran: Iran’s space agency (ISA) has placed a handful of satellites in orbit, usually via indigenous rockets like Simorgh. These include a small imaging satellite and nano-satellites. International sanctions have slowed Iran’s program, but Iran reports plans for more advanced satellites and even lunar missions in the future.
• Other Middle Eastern nations: Smaller programs include Jordan (launched a communications satellite, JordanSat), Qatar (owns communication satellites and is studying a space agency), and Egypt (among Arab nations, Egypt has its oldest space program, with Earth-observation satellites called EgyptSat; it plans new satellites and infrastructure). Iran’s neighbor Iraq has signed cooperation agreements to start building satellites as well.

Africa

Several African nations have joined the spacefaring community in recent years:

• Nigeria: The Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) operates remote-sensing satellites (NigeriaSat) launched via China or Europe. Nigeria launched a geosynchronous communications satellite (NigComSat) in 2007. NASRDA is now training engineers to build and operate national satellites domestically, and it plans more Earth-monitoring satellites.
• South Africa: The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been active since the early 2000s. It has launched small scientific satellites (like SumbandilaSat in 2009) and contributes to international space research. South Africa hosts a major radio-astronomy project (the SKA telescope) and plans follow-on research satellites.
• Egypt: Egypt’s space agency (NARSS) launched satellites (EgyptSat-1 in 2007, EgyptSat-A in 2019) that carry cameras and weather instruments. Egypt plans to build more satellites for environmental monitoring and telecommunications.
• Algeria: The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) has launched a series of remote-sensing satellites (AlSat) in partnership with Europe. It continues to develop Earth observation capacity.
• Kenya: Kenya’s first satellite (1KUNS-PF, an educational CubeSat) was launched by Japan in 2018. Kenya is also interested in using satellites to support agriculture and maritime surveillance.
• Other African programs: Ghana launched a student-built satellite (GhanaSat-1) in 2017. Ethiopia launched an Earth observation satellite (EthiopiaSat-1) in 2019. Several other African countries (Rwanda, Morocco) have government satellites or are planning them. Collaborations with universities and foreign partners help these programs to grow.

The Americas

In North America, space programs are dominated by the United States and Canada, which are well established. In Latin America and the Caribbean, several countries are expanding their efforts:

• Brazil: Brazil’s space agency (AEB) and research institute (INPE) built and launched the Amazonia-1 Earth-observation satellite in 2021 (launched by India). Brazil has also collaborated with China on satellites (the CBERS series, observing the Amazon) and is developing its own small launcher (the VLM rocket). Brazil is expanding satellite programs for environmental monitoring and 5G communications.
• Argentina: Argentina’s space agency (CONAE) operates radar and microwave observation satellites (SAOCOM series) launched with NASA assistance. Argentina has also built communications satellites (ARSAT). The country is developing small launch vehicles (Tronador project) to put satellites into orbit from its own soil.
• Mexico: Mexico’s space agency (AEM) launched its first communications satellite (Satmex 5/Centenario) decades ago but more recently focused on space science. Mexico has research satellites (like Morelos communications sats) and student CubeSats (e.g. TecnoSat). It is collaborating on projects with international partners and training engineers for future missions.
• Other programs: Venezuela launched a communications satellite (VENESAT-1) in 2008. Many South American countries participate in space through regional cooperation. For example, engineers from Colombia and Ecuador have helped build regional environmental satellites, and companies in Latin America collaborate on launch services and satellite building.

Summary

Across every region, new space programs are on the rise. Governments see satellites and space missions as tools for economic development, security, and science. Countries that once depended on foreign launches are now building their own rockets or satellites. Many are collaborating internationally, joining research stations, or training astronauts. In the coming years, we can expect to see more rockets lifting off from new launch sites and a growing number of countries operating satellites and planning exploration missions. These emerging space programs are reshaping the global space landscape and opening up space activities to a wider array of nations.