For generations, Nepal has been known to the world for Mount Everest, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and natural beauty. As the world enters a new era of technological transformation, another frontier is rapidly emerging—one that lies far beyond our mountains and borders. Outer space, once the exclusive domain of superpowers, has now become increasingly accessible to everyone: commercially driven, strategically important, faster, and cheaper. The question for Nepal is whether we are prepared to seize the opportunities of this new space age.
While serving in Vienna as a diplomat, I had the privilege of closely observing the increasing global focus on outer space and its relevance to international affairs. Vienna is the headquarters of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), a key platform where nations come together to advance cooperation, promote the peaceful use of outer space, and discuss the future of space activities.
I was particularly impressed to see how the conversation had evolved beyond traditional themes of astronauts, rockets, and space exploration. Instead, greater emphasis was being placed on opportunities and practical challenges that directly impact the day-to-day life of people, including climate change, disaster management, navigation systems, communications, sustainable development, and economic growth.
The global space sector is changing rapidly. Until a few years ago, space activities were led mainly by governments. Today, private companies are more active, making space more accessible through reusable rockets, satellite internet, and new technologies. Space is becoming an important area for innovation, business, and international cooperation. What once seemed like science fiction is now part of everyday life.
Why Space Matters for Nepal
For Nepal, space exploration is not about exploring the moon and planets; it is about solving real challenges on Earth.
Nepal’s mountainous terrain makes development difficult. Many places remain hard to access, especially during natural disasters. Satellite technology can bridge the gap by providing real-time information that helps governments make faster and better decisions.
Climate change is another area where space technologies have become indispensable. Melting glaciers and other adverse effects of climate change can be monitored through space technology, which provides valuable information for long-term planning. Space technology also helps protect mountain systems, support farmers, and manage water resources, among others.
Space technology can also bring reliable internet services to the most remote communities of Nepal. This automatically improves education, healthcare, access to markets, and government services.
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Tourism, one of Nepal’s major economic sectors, can also benefit. High-quality satellite images, digital mapping, and navigation systems improve trekking safety, environmental conservation, and tourism planning.
Simply, space technology allows us to see our country better, understand our challenges better, and respond more effectively.
Nepal’s Growing Journey into Space
Although Nepal does not have its own launch facilities or a large space agency, it has already taken meaningful steps. In recent years, Nepal has adopted policies encouraging the peaceful use of space technology and is increasing its cooperation with international partners.
The launch of NepalSat 1 in 2019 marked an important milestone. It demonstrated that Nepal has talented young people capable of contributing to space science when given the opportunity. In addition, institutions like Antarikchya Pratisthan Nepal (APN) successfully launched a nano-satellite named Slippers2Sat in 2025 using the Kinetica 1 rocket from China. Built with participation from marginalized Chepang community students, this satellite monitors forests, water resources, and seismic activities. Another one is Munal, a 1U satellite built by nine high-school students from Nepal, launched in January 2026 via the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Nepal also won a joint payload competition hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in 2022 along with Bahrain.
The next step should focus on encouraging these innovators, developing skilled human resources, strengthening research institutions, expanding satellite applications, encouraging innovation, and creating partnerships with universities, private companies, and international organizations.
Women in Space: Unlocking Nepal’s Full Potential
The future of space should belong to everyone. Yet around the world, women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and space-related professions. Nepal is no exception.
Fortunately, we are seeing change. More Nepali girls are choosing careers in science and technology than ever before. With the right opportunity and encouragement, they can become scientists, astronauts, researchers, policymakers, engineers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the space sector.
International initiatives such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs’ Space4Women programme are helping to promote gender equality in the global space community by encouraging education, networking, and leadership opportunities for women. Such initiatives also help us see that diversity leads to stronger innovation and better solutions.
For Nepal, investing in girls’ education in STEM fields is not only a matter of equality but also a smart national investment. The more women participate in science and technology, the stronger Nepal’s innovation system will become. Young girls from Nepal should therefore be encouraged that their journey from the classrooms of Nepal can one day lead to laboratories, satellite missions, or even space exploration. Dreams become reality when opportunities are created.
The New Space Economy
The new space economy is expanding rapidly worldwide. Today, private companies also play a major role alongside governments. Space-based services, navigation systems, Earth observation, and commercial applications are creating new industries and millions of jobs.
Nepal may not become a rocket-launching nation, but it can do a lot in the global space economy. Opportunities exist in satellite data analysis, artificial intelligence, software development for various practical uses, drone technology, remote services, research, and beyond.
We can develop applications using satellite information for agriculture, tourism, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and overall development. Entrepreneurs can create innovative products for both domestic and international markets.
The digital economy of the future will increasingly depend on data collected from space. Countries that build expertise today will be better positioned to benefit tomorrow.
International Cooperation: Learning Together
Outer space belongs to all. It can be used effectively through international cooperation. International partnerships provide opportunities for capacity building, technology transfer, scholarships, research, knowledge sharing, and much more. Working together allows developing countries like Nepal to benefit from scientific advancement without having to invest enormously.
Nepal has always supported the peaceful use of outer space and multilateral collaboration. We should continue strengthening partnerships with international organizations, universities, research institutions, and friendly countries.
Equally important is active participation in global discussions on space governance, especially through the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Nepal is not yet a member, but it is important that we move towards joining it soon. Membership would allow Nepal to contribute to global space policy discussions and benefit from shared knowledge. Various matters related to space and space technology will increasingly influence the future of all nations, including those without launch capabilities.
Looking Ahead
The new age will be defined not only by digital transformation but also by the world’s expanding presence in space. Countries that invest in knowledge, innovation, and technology today will shape tomorrow’s world.
Nepal’s greatest strength is its young people. Our young population is creative, innovative, and eager to learn. What they need are opportunities, supportive policies, international cooperation, and long-term vision.
The future belongs to those nations that dare to dream while preparing wisely. Nepal may be a landlocked developing country, but it has never lacked courage. We climbed the world’s highest mountain through courage and determination. Today, another frontier awaits—not above the clouds of Everest, but beyond them.
If we invest in our people, embrace science and technology, and work together with the international community, Nepal can confidently secure its place in the new space age. The distance between Everest and outer space may be vast, but for a nation with vision and determination, it is a journey well worth beginning.
The author is a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The views are personal.
