Hydrosat and Kazakhstan’s KGS have signed an MoU to build a sovereign thermal satellite constellation for Central Asia.
Hydrosat, a Luxembourg-based thermal satellite intelligence company, and Kazakhstan’s national space company JSC “NC “Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary” (KGS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a dedicated thermal infrared satellite constellation for Central Asia.
The deal combines Hydrosat’s thermal payload technology and AI-driven analytics with KGS’s spacecraft expertise, giving governments independent access to data supporting water and food security.
“Water security has become fundamental to national resilience.”
Pieter Fossel, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrosat
“Water security has become fundamental to national resilience,” said Pieter Fossel, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrosat. “Governments need trusted, independent information to make decisions about critical resources.” Kaiyrzhan Kozhayev, Chairman of the Board of KGS, said the deal “lays the conceptual foundation for a future satellite constellation tailored to the needs of Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia.”
The agreement builds on Hydrosat’s fast-growing footprint, which Silicon Luxembourg has followed closely since the company’s early days. Hydrosat first raised $20M to monitor climate change threats, then launched its first high-resolution climate satellite, before securing a $60M Series B to accelerate its growth.
To learn more about the ambitions behind the agreement, Silicon Luxembourg put a few questions to Pieter Fossel, Chief Executive Officer of Hydrosat.
What’s the realistic timeline from this agreement to an actual satellite launch, and how many satellites are you envisioning?
The MoU establishes the framework for developing the constellation and defining the implementation roadmap. It’s still too early to announce a launch date or confirm the number of satellites. We’ll be happy to share more as those plans take shape.
Does this partnership mark a strategic shift for Hydrosat toward space infrastructure, beyond your current role as a data provider?
We see it as a natural extension of what we already do. Hydrosat develops, launches and operates thermal satellite capabilities and turns that data into insights for our customers. This partnership draws on that full range of capabilities, from payload and mission solutions to data and analytics, to support governments seeking greater control over their Earth observation capabilities.
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How does Hydrosat retain its IP while building “sovereign” capability for Kazakhstan?
Building sovereign capability does not necessarily mean transferring ownership of the underlying technology. Hydrosat will retain ownership of its proprietary technology, algorithms and software. We’ll be able to share more about how the partnership is structured once the details are finalized.
What role does your Luxembourg base play in a deal like this with Central Asia?
Luxembourg is an important base for our European activities and connects us to a strong space ecosystem. It also provides a natural bridge to partners such as Kazakhstan, which has longstanding ties with Europe and is investing in its space and technology capabilities.
Are you in talks with other governments to replicate this model elsewhere?
Yes, we’re in discussions with other governments and are seeing growing interest in dedicated, sovereign Earth observation capabilities. That interest is particularly strong where water security, food security, national security and climate resilience are strategic priorities. We’re pursuing those opportunities and will share more when we can.
