Myanmar Space Agency
The Myanmar Space Agency is a national-level space agency of Myanmar, formed on 1 June 2025. The agency was placed under the control of military leader Min Aung Hlaing and was presented as being aimed—under the label of "peaceful purposes"—at internationally collaborative space projects linked to national security.
History
Since 2017, a steering committee was formed under the NLD government led by Aung San Suu Kyi to develop plans for Myanmar's own satellite system. The committee was chaired by then-Vice President Myint Swe.On 20 February 2021, the Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University launched Myanmar's first satellite programme as a government-funded joint project with Hokkaido University. The satellite was later held by the Japanese university over concerns that the military might use it for its operations following the 2021 Myanmar protests.
During his visit to Russia in March 2022, Min Aung Hlaing visited a cosmodrome and held discussions related to space technology. Russian President Vladimir Putin later stated that a satellite data research centre would be established in Myanmar with Russian assistance. In 2024, a new committee was formed to oversee satellite development, headed by Mya Tun Oo, replacing the earlier NLD-era body.
Formation
The Myanmar Space Agency was officially established on 1 June 2025, as announced in the 4 July edition of the Myanmar Gazette. It was placed under the direct supervision of Min Aung Hlaing, who was granted authority to approve expert appointments within the agency. The government stated that the agency's objectives were peaceful in nature, focusing on international cooperation related to national security, including environmental conservation, disaster management, and agriculture, and assigned it 20 key responsibilities related to satellite services.Following its formation, Min Aung Hlaing made a three-day visit to Russia in September 2025, during which he met with the Director-General of Roscosmos to discuss future space cooperation. Agreements were signed between the Myanmar Space Agency and Roscosmos leadership.