Russia begins training Myanmar’s first astronaut

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 13:21

By: Azzat Manal

Russia begins training Myanmar’s first astronaut

Russia is preparing to train Myanmar’s first astronaut as part of a new space cooperation agreement between the two countries. The initiative was announced by the Russian space agency Roscosmos following the signing of several agreements aimed at expanding collaboration in space technology and human spaceflight.

Under the agreement, Russian specialists will carry out the initial selection and training of Myanmar astronauts according to established Russian standards. The program represents a significant step for Myanmar as it seeks to develop its capabilities in space-related activities and strengthen cooperation with international partners.

The cooperation agreement was formalized following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing. Officials from both countries exchanged documents covering several areas of space activity, including satellite navigation, crewed missions, search-and-rescue systems and monitoring of potential hazards in near-Earth space.

The memorandum was signed by Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov and Myanmar Space Agency Executive Director Soe Myint Maung. The agreement provides a framework for developing practical projects and technical cooperation between the two countries.

One of the key elements of the partnership is the preparation and evaluation of Myanmar’s future astronauts. Russian experts are expected to oversee the selection process and provide specialized training designed to meet the technical and medical requirements associated with human spaceflight.

The agreement also includes plans to establish a national search-and-rescue system in Myanmar based on the Russian-developed COSPAS-SARSAT framework. Such systems are used internationally to detect and locate distress signals from emergency beacons, supporting rescue operations on land and at sea.

The partnership extends beyond astronaut training. It covers satellite navigation and cooperation on technologies designed to monitor and respond to risks in near-Earth space, areas that are becoming increasingly important as satellite activity expands.

For Myanmar, cooperation with Russia could provide access to technical expertise and training that would otherwise require significant investment and international partnerships. For Russia, closer space ties with Myanmar could strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia and open opportunities for broader technological cooperation.

The initiative also reflects a wider trend in international space activity, with countries seeking partnerships to develop national capabilities in satellite technology, astronaut training, communications and space-based services.

While the announcement does not yet provide a timeline for when Myanmar’s first astronaut could travel to space, the launch of a formal selection and training process marks an important milestone for the country’s ambitions in human spaceflight.