Author: Bormy Chanthong, Senior GIS Specialist, Urbanetic Pte Ltd, Singapore
Apart from Space Exploration, space applications such as Earth Observation have been playing an important role in paving the way for the Kingdom of Cambodia to achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Image credits: Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Cambodia. Source Link
Space technology in Cambodia is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to significantly impact the country’s development, particularly in areas like telecommunications, agriculture, and disaster management. Cambodia's adoption of satellite technology is largely driven by the need to improve connectivity and bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas. Apart from Space Exploration, space applications such as Earth Observation have been playing an important role in paving the way for the Kingdom of Cambodia to achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as its national development goals. In either direct or indirect uses of space applications, both government and non-government are beneficiaries of such technology.
Space applications in climatology; the imagery from geostationary satellites has been used by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. The satellite data is used for weather monitoring and for the visualization of cloud coverage over the country. The data is published on a daily basis on the ministry’s website. Besides the meteorology data from geostationary satellite systems, the other data such as Digital Elevation Model (DEM), which is acquired via Satellite System, has also been used in water resource management. Additionally, Earth Observation data both visible and nonvisible, have been used by the other ministries such as the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the Ministry of Environment, and so on. Satellite imagery/data plays an important role in monitoring the changes on the surface of the Earth which is very beneficial for the nation to monitor and manage her own national resources. However, Earth Observation is not an affordable technology. Accessing the data and tools requires a big sum of funding. Not only the pricing of the data and tools, but there is also the limitation of human capacity in this sector. Only the government and international NGOs can afford to adopt this technology.
As of now, Cambodia does not have its own domestically manufactured satellite, but the country is a user of satellite services provided by international and regional operators. The Cambodian government has shown interest in developing its own satellite capabilities, and in recent years, there have been discussions about launching a national satellite to support communication needs and bolster national security.
One of the key players in the Cambodian satellite market is Royal Group, a major conglomerate in Cambodia. Royal Group has collaborated with international satellite operators to provide satellite-based Internet and communication services in the country. Starting from 2010, the Royal Group has shown interest in utilizing satellite technology to help improve the livelihood of the people through satellite connectivity. With multiple engagements with international satellite technology providers, the Royal Group has attracted the attention of the director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In 2011, the director of the ITU visited the country to ensure the readiness of the nation to enter into the space sector. In 2017, the Royal Group signed an agreement with Intelsat, a global satellite operator, to deliver high-performance broadband connectivity to underserved areas in Cambodia. Since then, the Royal Group has made multiple engagements with China Satellite Manufacturers as well as Russian Satellite Service providers. However, the Royal Group seems to be mainly in the field of telecommunications. This leaves the other market segments for other players. In the field of Earth Observation, there are only a few local companies providing services. Aruna Technology Ltd. is a well-known one among a few which provide remote sensing services.
Although it seems not many local businesses are interested in participating in the space economy, international business has always foreseen the opportunity. Starlink is known to be a global space-based internet broadband provider; and they are negotiating with the government and expect to provide services around 2025.
Despite the potential, there are challenges in the development of satellite technology in Cambodia. These include the high cost of satellite infrastructure, limited technical expertise, and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, the market for satellite services is still developing, and it may take time for the necessary ecosystem to fully mature.
Looking ahead, Cambodia’s satellite industry could see significant growth as the government and private sector invest in building local capacity and infrastructure. International partnerships will likely play a crucial role in this development, bringing in the expertise and technology needed to advance Cambodia’s satellite capabilities. As such, there has been a group of young students who have tried to build a cost-effective satellite as their own experiment. Low-cost and open hardware platform for satellite systems such as CubeSat could be the hope for a low-income country like Cambodia to get into the space industry.
As Cambodia continues to modernize its economy and expand its digital infrastructure, satellite technology will be a key component of this transformation, offering new business opportunities and helping to drive economic growth across the country.
Author's biography
Bormy Chanthong is a Senior GIS Specialist at Urbanetic Pte Ltd, Singapore. His work aims to enhance urban planning and environmental sustainability through advanced GIS applications, contributing to smarter, more resilient cities. He is a former Research Assistant at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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