For information only – not an official document
UNIS/OS/605
25 June 2025
VIENNA, 25 June (UN Information Service) — The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has opened the ninth round of applications for the United Nations/Japan Cooperation Programme on CubeSat Deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module "KiboCUBE".
KiboCUBE provides teams from government organizations, research institutes, universities and other public organizations from developing countries the opportunity to develop, build, and ultimately deploy a One Unit (1U) Cube Satellite (CubeSat) from the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the International Space Station (ISS). The programme is part of the Satellite Development Track of UNOOSA’s flagship Access to Space for All initiative, which supports capacity-building and inclusive participation in space activities, particularly for developing countries. By providing access to space-related infrastructure, data, and expertise, the initiative empowers nations to leverage space for sustainable development, education, and scientific advancement.
Since its inception in 2015, KiboCUBE has enabled teams from Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius, Moldova, and Indonesia to successfully launch their satellites, four of which marked the first-ever satellites for their respective countries. These successes have supported national capacity-building and built awareness of space as a driver for socioeconomic development. Three more teams, from the Central American Integration System (SICA), Mexico, and a joint team from Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, are currently developing their CubeSats for future deployment.
Interested teams can submit applications for the opportunity on UNOOSA’s KiboCUBE Rounds webpage until 31 December 2025. Teams from countries that have not yet had the chance to access space are strongly encouraged to apply.
To support applicants, KiboCUBE Academy, the educational component of KiboCUBE, will host sessions during the application period to provide guidance to applicants on proposal development and help teams strengthen their submissions. Interested parties can also fill out this form to receive programme updates and follow-up support during the application period.
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, said: “Space offers tremendous benefits, but not all countries are yet able to participate equally. The KiboCUBE programme supports nations on their journey towards becoming spacefaring by building capacity in satellite development and helping them navigate the regulatory frameworks essential for launch. We are deeply grateful to JAXA for their ongoing partnership in making this opportunity possible.”
Masaki Shirakawa, Director of the Space Environment Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate of JAXA, said: “We are very pleased to continue our historic KiboCUBE programme by launching a new round on the celebration of its 10th anniversary. Together with UNOOSA, we continue to support capacity-building on space technology in non-spacefaring nations and contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is inspiring to see how KiboCUBE has evolved into a sustainable programme advancing space capabilities worldwide. We look forward to receiving many applications from all over the world.”
About UNOOSA
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) promotes international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of outer space, and in the utilization of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. Based in Vienna, Austria, UNOOSA serves as the secretariat for the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which is the leading international forum on key topics, including: space sustainability, space resources, sustainable lunar activities.
UNOOSA assists Member States with capacity-building on space law, policy, science and technology. It has a strong track record of delivering impactful programmes in partnership with governments, space agencies, industry and academia.
The 68th session of COPUOS is currently taking place from 25 June to 2 July 2025, in Vienna, Austria.
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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
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