Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took part in the International Space Summit in Paris on September 10, where participants discussed the future of space infrastructure. French President Emmanuel Macron delivered opening remarks, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other senior officials also attended.
Speaking at a panel on the “Vision for the Future of Space Infrastructure,” Pashinyan said Armenia has entered a new phase in developing its national space capabilities. He noted that in 2022 the country launched its first satellite, ARMSAT-1, built using European technologies and placed into orbit by SpaceX.
He said another milestone followed a year later, when HAYASAT-1 was launched into orbit as the first Armenian satellite fully assembled and tested by Armenian specialists.
According to the prime minister, Armenia’s 2026-2031 government programme identifies the development of national space capabilities as a separate strategic objective. The country plans to launch at least three satellites — two for Earth observation and one for telecommunications — while also building its own ground infrastructure and domestic capacity for satellite control, data reception, processing and analysis.
Pashinyan said Armenia also plans to establish a distributed network of ground stations to service that infrastructure. He added that the country aims not only to meet domestic needs, but also to support international space missions and rising demand for satellite data and services.
Over the longer term, Armenia wants to play a more active role in international space programmes by enabling Armenian engineers and companies to contribute to the design, development and production of complex systems and equipment for space exploration.
He also said Armenia’s 2026-2030 strategic programme for developing the scientific sector lists space and aerospace technologies among its strategic priorities. These include Earth observation, satellite communications, space situational awareness, navigation technologies and other promising fields.
Pashinyan separately highlighted the growing link between space and artificial intelligence. In that context, Armenia is developing a broader national “AI Factory” concept aimed at creating an ecosystem of advanced computing capacity and AI capabilities to support research, innovation and technological development.
He said the Firebird AI Factory had recently opened in Armenia in partnership with NVIDIA. He also described the Academic City initiative as another important element of the transformation, bringing together universities, research institutes, students, researchers, international partners and the private sector.
In closing, Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to investing in science and human capital and to strengthening international partnerships so that space science, technology and data contribute to sustainable development and a better future for humanity.
