UNOOSA and JAXA select teams from El Salvador and Thailand for satellite deployment from the International Space Station

UNIS/OS/611
10 June 2026

Winning universities will deploy their CubeSats through the UNOOSA-JAXA KiboCUBE programme

VIENNA, 10 June (United Nations Information Service) - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have selected teams from El Salvador and Thailand as the winners of the 9th round of the KiboCUBE programme, a joint initiative that enables developing countries to deploy CubeSat satellites from the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The selected teams - from the Key Institute in El Salvador and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand - will develop and deploy satellites designed to support scientific research, environmental monitoring and capacity-building in their countries.

The winning team from El Salvador will develop the nation's first university CubeSat, "CAREY", to study geomagnetic field variations over Central America and enable correlation studies between radiation levels and magnetic conditions. The team from Thailand will develop the CubeSat "CUSAT-1" to support sustainable environment and water management. Using water mass data and low-resolution farmland imagery, the project will help monitor water distribution across agricultural areas and support environmental protection efforts. Both university-led projects are expected to strengthen national space and engineering capabilities while contributing to sustainable development and scientific education.

Since its launch in 2015, the KiboCUBE programme has enabled six countries - Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico and Moldova - to become spacefaring nations by developing and deploying their satellites. In all instances except Indonesia and Mexico, these missions marked the countries' first-ever satellite. In several cases, these missions have helped catalyse the creation of national space agencies and space legislation and have kickstarted local space economies.

By supporting university teams in El Salvador and Thailand, UNOOSA and JAXA continue to expand access to space technology and build local scientific and engineering capacity in emerging nations.

Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, said: "In an era where space is increasingly dominated by a handful of players, the United Nations Access to Space for All programme offers the unique possibility for developing countries and new space actors to take meaningful steps towards building their space capabilities. Through the KiboCUBE programme in particular, students and researchers are not only developing satellites; they are also accelerating innovation and using space technology to help address real-world challenges in their own countries. Heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams and we look forward to seeing their missions come to life."

Masaki Shirakawa, Director of the JAXA Space Environment Utilization Center, said: "I am greatly pleased that JAXA will have the opportunity to contribute to El Salvador's first-ever small satellite mission, as well as to further strengthen our cooperation in space with Thailand. Through the utilization of the "Kibo" module, we take pride in having continuously supported the space development efforts of various countries by providing opportunities such as their first satellite launches and on-orbit deployments. Looking ahead, we remain committed to enhancing the space technological capabilities of nations around the world and to further promoting the global utilization of the International Space Station."

Juan Francisco Sifontes Colocho, Rector of the Key Institute, said: "Being selected by JAXA and UNOOSA to design, build, and launch the first Salvadoran satellite is a remarkable milestone for El Salvador. Through the leadership of the CAREY team, Key Institute is proud to contribute to the development of national space capabilities and to inspire future generations of Salvadoran engineers and scientists."

Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, said: "At Chulalongkorn University, we believe that mastery without values only builds machines, but mastery with values builds futures. CUSAT-1 is the fullest expression of what our students are made of: the discipline to engineer a satellite, and the conviction that space must serve all of humanity. We could not be prouder of what they have shown the world."

For more information, please visit:

Access to Space for All initiative: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/index.html

KiboCUBE: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/KiboCUBE/KiboCUBE_Index.html

* *** *

For more information, please contact:

Access to Space for All initiative Team
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Email: unoosa-access-to-space[at]un.org