Kazakhstan Installs First Robotic Telescope in Chile

The telescope is already being used for educational purposes by Kazakh students. Photo: SCMP

Kazakhstan has successfully launched its first high-precision robotic telescope outside its borders, choosing the renowned Atacama Desert in Chile — one of the world’s top locations for astronomical observation. Developed by the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, the telescope is now operational at the ObsTech International Observatory, a major global centre for astrophysical research.

This landmark project took nearly seven years to complete and was made possible through cooperation with Chilean experts from the University of Santiago. The partnership not only resulted in the installation of the telescope but also inspired plans to establish an astronomical hub within Kazakhstan. The new centre is currently taking shape at the Assy-Turgen observatory in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Students Gain Access to Southern Sky and Hands-On Research

The newly installed telescope is now the largest at the ObsTech facility, with a mirror measuring one metre in diameter. According to Ivan Ossandon, a technical specialist at the observatory, the instrument is a significant addition to the site, which hosts around 140 telescopes. Around 60% of the observatory’s users come from the United States, but Kazakhstan’s presence is growing.

«This is a very serious scientific instrument,» said Ossandon. «What’s especially important is that Kazakh astronomers can now study stars and celestial objects in the Southern sky — areas that remain out of sight from observatories within Kazakhstan. It’s also a great tool for student training.»

The telescope is already being used for educational purposes by students from Nazarbayev University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, providing valuable practical experience and helping nurture the next generation of Kazakh astrophysicists.

The Atacama Desert, situated in northern Chile, is one of the driest places on Earth, with rainfall occurring only once every few years. Its clear skies, low humidity and lack of light pollution make it an ideal environment for astronomical research. As a result, it is home to many of the world’s most advanced observatories, attracting scientists from around the globe.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan is exploring the possibility of launching a constellation of Earth Observation (EO) satellites.