diff --git a/africa/ag.json b/africa/ag.json index 8fb6e9ca..f7140c19 100644 --- a/africa/ag.json +++ b/africa/ag.json @@ -1192,8 +1192,7 @@ "text": "none; note - in 1947, Algeria began hosting a French military rocket test site known as  the Centre Interarmées d’Essais d’Engins Spéciaux (CIEES or Interarmy Special Vehicles Test Center); it was the continent of Africa's first rocket launch site and was in service until 1967" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space policy and space research program with stated goals of supporting internal development, managing resources, mastering space technology, and reinforcing national sovereignty; builds and operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; researching and developing a range of space-related capabilities, including satellites and satellite payloads, communications, RS, instrumentation, satellite image processing, and geo-spatial information; has bilateral relationships with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Argentina, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine, the UK, and other African countries; member of the African Space Agency and the Arab Space Coordination Group (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space policy and space research program with stated goals of supporting internal development, managing resources, mastering space technology, and reinforcing national sovereignty; builds and operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; researching and developing a range of space-related capabilities, including satellites and satellite payloads, communications, RS, instrumentation, image processing, and geo-spatial information; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including Argentina, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine, the UK, and other African countries; member of the African Space Agency and the Arab Space Coordination Group (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/ao.json b/africa/ao.json index e485a5ae..180eeca5 100644 --- a/africa/ao.json +++ b/africa/ao.json @@ -1170,8 +1170,7 @@ "text": "National Space Program Office (Gabinete de Gestão do Programa Espacial Nacional, GGPEN; established 2013) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space strategy with a focus on capacity-building, developing space infrastructure, investing in domestic space sector, supporting socioeconomic growth, and establishing cooperation agreements with foreign technical and scientific institutions in the space industry; contracts with foreign companies to build and launch satellites; operates satellites; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Portugal, Russia, the US, and other African countries; member of the African Space Agency (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space strategy with a focus on capacity-building, developing space infrastructure, investing in domestic space sector, supporting socioeconomic growth, and establishing cooperation agreements with foreign technical and scientific institutions in the space industry; contracts with foreign companies to build and launch satellites; operates satellites; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Portugal, Russia, the US, and other African countries; member of the African Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/cd.json b/africa/cd.json index 494d583c..204d7183 100644 --- a/africa/cd.json +++ b/africa/cd.json @@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ "text": "12/29/2024" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { - "text": "Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) (124); Rally of Chadian Nationalists/Awakening (RNDT/ Le Réveil) (12); Others (27); Other (25)" + "text": "Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) (124); Rally of Chadian Nationalists/Awakening (RNDT/ Le Réveil) (12); Others (52)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "33.5%" diff --git a/africa/eg.json b/africa/eg.json index 9e1b034b..75076a90 100644 --- a/africa/eg.json +++ b/africa/eg.json @@ -1263,8 +1263,7 @@ "text": "Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA; established 2019); National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS; formed in 1994 from the Remote Sensing Center, which was established in 1971) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a growing space program and seeks to become a regional space power; operates satellites; builds satellites jointly with foreign partners but developing localized satellite manufacturing capabilities and associated support infrastructure; acquiring other space-related technologies through transfers and domestic development, including on communications, Earth imaging/remote sensing (RS), and satellite payloads and components; cooperating on space-related issues with a variety of foreign governments and commercial space companies, including those of Belarus, Canada, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group; has a commercial space sector that focuses on satellite communications, satellite design and production, RS capabilities, and space applications (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a growing space program and seeks to become a regional space power; operates satellites; builds satellites jointly with foreign partners but developing localized satellite manufacturing and support infrastructure; acquiring other space-related technologies through transfers and domestic development, including in communications, Earth imaging/remote sensing (RS), and satellite payloads and components; works with a variety of foreign governments and commercial space companies, including those of Belarus, Canada, China, the ESA and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group; has an active commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/et.json b/africa/et.json index 5ed2e670..07d93215 100644 --- a/africa/et.json +++ b/africa/et.json @@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ "text": "Prosperity Party (448); Other (22)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { - "text": "41.9%" + "text": "29.7%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "June 2026" @@ -1188,8 +1188,7 @@ "text": "Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (ESSGI; formed in 2022 from the joining of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute or ESSTI and the Ethiopian Geospatial Information Institute or EGII) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites, as well as conducting research; jointly builds satellites with foreign partners and operates and exploits remote sensing (RS) satellites; developing the ability to manufacture satellites and their associated payloads; involved in astronomy and in the construction of space observatories; cooperates on space-related issues with a variety of countries, including China, France, India, Russia, and multiple African countries, particularly Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda; shares RS data with neighboring countries (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses on acquiring and operating satellites, as well as conducting research; jointly builds satellites with foreign partners, and operates and exploits remote sensing (RS) satellites; developing the ability to manufacture satellites and their payloads; involved in astronomy and the construction of space observatories; works with a variety of countries, including China, France, India, Russia, and multiple African countries, particularly Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda; shares RS data with neighboring countries (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/gb.json b/africa/gb.json index 83d6eb81..13951504 100644 --- a/africa/gb.json +++ b/africa/gb.json @@ -1163,8 +1163,7 @@ "text": "Gabonese Studies and Space Observations Agency (Agence Gabonaise d’Etudes et d’Observations Spatiales or AGEOS; established 2015) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small space program focused on the acquisition, processing, analysis, and furnishing of data from remote sensing (RS) satellites for environmental management, mapping, natural resources, land use planning, and maritime surveillance, as well as research and innovation; member of the African Space Agency; has relationships with Brazil, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France), and the US, as well as African countries such as Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, and South Africa; shares RS satellite data with neighboring countries (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small space program focused on using data from remote sensing (RS) satellites for environmental and natural-resource management, mapping, land-use planning, maritime surveillance, and research; member of the African Space Agency; has relationships with Brazil, China, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France), and the US, as well as African countries such as Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, and South Africa; shares RS satellite data with neighboring countries (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/gh.json b/africa/gh.json index 8b84f459..55cd6f76 100644 --- a/africa/gh.json +++ b/africa/gh.json @@ -1194,8 +1194,7 @@ "note": "note: the GSSTI is eventually slated to become the Ghana Space Agency" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has nascent space program focused on earth observation, space science education, and telecommunications; seeks to exploit remote sensing (RS) technology for agriculture, natural resource management, weather forecasting, and national security issues; relies on foreign imagery for analysis but seeks to develop its own RS satellite capabilities; has established cooperative relationships with China and Japan, as well as a number of regional states, particularly South Africa; cooperating with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda to establish a joint satellite to monitor climate changes in the African continent; member of the African Space Agency; partner of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) international astronomy initiative (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has nascent space program focused on Earth observation, space science education, and telecommunications; seeks to exploit remote sensing (RS) technology for agriculture, natural-resource management, weather forecasting, and national security; relies on foreign imagery for analysis but seeks to develop its own RS satellite capabilities; has established cooperative relationships with China, Japan, and a number of regional states, particularly South Africa; working with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda on a satellite to monitor climate changes in the African continent; member of the African Space Agency; partner in the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/iv.json b/africa/iv.json index 088a3304..d788f327 100644 --- a/africa/iv.json +++ b/africa/iv.json @@ -1201,8 +1201,7 @@ "note": "note: in mid-2025, Côte d’Ivoire announced that it would establish the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ASCI) in 2026 under the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small, nascent program with a focus on satellite technology and geospatial information systems and exploitation for national planning, resource management, addressing environmental challenges, supporting the agricultural sector and scientific research, promoting domestic expertise, and national security issues; member of the African Space Agency and cooperates bilaterally with member states such as Tanzania (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small, nascent program focused on satellite technology and geospatial information systems, as well as exploitation for resource management, environmental challenges, agricultural sector support, and national security; member of the African Space Agency and cooperates bilaterally with member states such as Tanzania (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/ke.json b/africa/ke.json index 3fad5d92..5eb88e50 100644 --- a/africa/ke.json +++ b/africa/ke.json @@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ "text": "National Assembly" }, "number of seats": { - "text": "350 (all directly elected)" + "text": "350 (337 directly elected; 12 nominated by parties to represent special interests, including youths, people with disabilities, workers; the Speaker as ex-officio member)" }, "electoral system": { "text": "plurality/majority" @@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ "text": "8/9/2022" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { - "text": "United Democratic Alliance (UDA) (145); Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (86); Jubilee Party (JP) (28); Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) (26); Others (19); Other (45)" + "text": "United Democratic Alliance (UDA) (145); Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (86); Jubilee Party (JP) (28); Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) (26); Others (52); Independents (12)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "23.4%" @@ -1211,8 +1211,7 @@ "text": "Luigi Broglio Space Center (aka Malindi Space Center, Malindi Station, San Marco Satellite Launching and Tracking Station; Kilifi County; over 20 sounding rockets and nine satellites launched from the site, 1967-1989); in 2020, Kenya concluded a new deal with Italy to conduct rocket launches from the site again in the future (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space strategy focused on acquiring and applying space technologies and applications for agriculture, communications, disaster and resource management, security, urban planning, and weather monitoring; jointly develops and builds nanosatellites with foreign partners; operates satellites; researching and developing satellite payloads and imagery data analysis capabilities; has cooperated on space issues with China, Japan, India, Italy, and the US, as well as a variety African partners; member of the African Space Agency (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space strategy focused on acquiring and applying space technologies for agriculture, communications, disaster and resource management, security, urban planning, and weather monitoring; jointly develops and builds nanosatellites with foreign partners; operates satellites; researching and developing satellite payloads and imagery data analysis capabilities; has cooperated on space issues with China, Japan, India, Italy, and the US, as well as a variety of African partners; member of the African Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/ma.json b/africa/ma.json index a19483e2..3aa5b6f1 100644 --- a/africa/ma.json +++ b/africa/ma.json @@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ "text": "5/29/2024" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { - "text": "Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) (84); Firaisankina (22); Independents (50); Other (7)" + "text": "Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) (84); Firaisankina (22); Independents (50); Other (7)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "14.1%" diff --git a/africa/ng.json b/africa/ng.json index dadc4d74..fa80023a 100644 --- a/africa/ng.json +++ b/africa/ng.json @@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ "expected date of next election": { "text": "April 2030" }, - "note": "Note: on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the National Assembly; a commission recommended to the junta in February 2025 a minimum of a five-year transition to democratic rule" + "note": "Note 1: on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the National Assembly; a commission recommended to the junta in February 2025 a minimum of a five-year transition to democratic rule

Note 2: In May 2025, Transitional President Tchiani signed decrees nominating 194 members of the Advisory Council for the Refoundation (Conseil consultatif de la refondation or CCR), CCR Bureau members, and the Speaker, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey; the first session of the CCR convened on 28 June 2025" }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { diff --git a/africa/ni.json b/africa/ni.json index a395f6c8..1a815469 100644 --- a/africa/ni.json +++ b/africa/ni.json @@ -1206,8 +1206,7 @@ "note": "note: NARSDA originated from the National Centre for Remote Sensing, the National Committee on Space Applications (both established in 1987), and the Directorate of Science (established 1993)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program with a focus on acquiring satellites for agricultural, environmental, meteorology, mining and disaster monitoring, security purposes, and socio-economic development; designs, builds (mostly with foreign assistance), and operates satellites; processes overhead imagery data for analysis and sharing; developing additional capabilities in satellite and satellite payload production, including remote sensing technologies; has a sounding rocket program for researching rockets and rocket propulsion systems with goal of launching domestically produced satellites into space from a Nigerian spaceport by 2030; has relations and/or cooperation agreements with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Vietnam; has a government-owned satellite company and a small commercial aerospace sector (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space program that focuses on acquiring satellites for agricultural and environmental applications, meteorology, mining and disaster monitoring, security, and socio-economic development; designs, builds (mostly with foreign assistance), and operates satellites; processes overhead imagery data for analysis and sharing; developing additional capabilities in satellite and satellite payload production, including remote sensing technologies; has a sounding rocket program for researching rockets and rocket propulsion, with goal of launching domestically produced satellites into space from a Nigerian spaceport by 2030; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Vietnam; has a government-owned satellite company and a small commercial aerospace sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/pu.json b/africa/pu.json index d3e579f0..b039ba2e 100644 --- a/africa/pu.json +++ b/africa/pu.json @@ -1053,7 +1053,7 @@ "text": "18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service for men and women (Air Force service is voluntary); 16 years of age or younger, with parental consent, for voluntary service (2023)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Armed Forces (FARP) are focused on external security, but also has some internal security duties; the FARP and the paramilitary National Guard have been influential in the country’s politics since independence and have attempted several coups; FARP members were suspected of coup plotting as recently as 2021, and it put down an attempted coup in 2022, while the National Guard attempted a coup in December 2023; since the 2000s, the FARP has undergone various attempts at defense and security sector reforms under the auspices of the African Union, the EU, the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), and the UN (2025)" + "text": "the Armed Forces (FARP) are focused on external security, but also has some internal security duties; the FARP and the paramilitary National Guard have been influential in the country’s politics since independence and have attempted several coups; since the 2000s, the FARP has undergone various attempts at defense and security sector reforms under the auspices of the African Union, the EU, the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), and the UN (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/rw.json b/africa/rw.json index 8542e2d6..7b9f3396 100644 --- a/africa/rw.json +++ b/africa/rw.json @@ -1147,8 +1147,7 @@ "text": "Rwanda Space Agency (L’Agence Spatiale Rwandaise; RSA; established 2020 and approved by legislature in 2021) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small program focused on developing and utilizing space technologies, such as satellite communications and imagery for connectivity, disaster management, security purposes, and socioeconomic development; seeks to establish itself as an African hub for satellite development; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; the RSA is responsible for regulating and coordinating the country’s space activities and encouraging commercial and industrial development; has established ties with the space agencies or industries of several countries, including France, Israel, Japan, Poland, the UAE, and the US, as well as those of the African Space Agency (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small program focused on developing space technologies, such as satellite communications and imagery for connectivity, disaster management, security, and socioeconomic development; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; has established ties with the space agencies or industries of several countries, including France, Israel, Japan, Poland, the UAE, and the US, as well as members of the African Space Agency; seeks to establish itself as an African hub for satellite production and has encouraged development of a domestic commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/sf.json b/africa/sf.json index f0acff24..0286b471 100644 --- a/africa/sf.json +++ b/africa/sf.json @@ -1238,8 +1238,7 @@ "text": "Arniston launch facility (Western Cape) used to support space launch vehicle and ballistic missile program (1980s-1990s); it is now a weapons testing facility called the Denel Overberg Test Range (2024)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program is one of the most advanced in Africa; key areas of emphasis include Earth observation/remote sensing (RS), space weather monitoring, space scientific research, space engineering, and space operations (tracking, telemetry, etc); produces and operates satellites; has a sounding rocket program for carrying experimental payloads for research purposes; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, India, Russia, and the US; member of the African Space Agency; participates in international programs such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Project, an effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope by 2030; has a substantial number of state- and privately-owned aerospace companies, as well as academic and research institutions involved in space-related activities (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "key areas of emphasis for its national space program include Earth observation/remote sensing (RS) capabilities, weather monitoring, research, engineering, and operations (tracking, telemetry, etc.); produces and operates satellites; has a sounding rocket program for carrying experimental payloads for research; cooperates with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, India, Russia, and the US; member of the African Space Agency; participates in international programs such as the Square Kilometer Array Project; has a number of state- and privately-owned aerospace companies, as well as academic and research institutions involved in space-related activities (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/ts.json b/africa/ts.json index 60861571..45031ec6 100644 --- a/africa/ts.json +++ b/africa/ts.json @@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador Joey HOOD (since 2 February 2023)" + "text": "Ambassador Bill BAZZI (since 21 November 2025)" }, "embassy": { "text": "Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis" diff --git a/africa/tz.json b/africa/tz.json index aa10aeea..0333219d 100644 --- a/africa/tz.json +++ b/africa/tz.json @@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ "text": "unicameral" }, "number of seats": { - "text": "403 (272 directly elected; 120 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)" + "text": "403 (272 directly elected; 120 indirectly elected; 10 appointed; 1 other)" }, "electoral system": { "text": "plurality/majority" @@ -623,16 +623,16 @@ "text": "5 years" }, "most recent election date": { - "text": "10/28/2020" + "text": "10/29/2025" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { - "text": "Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM) (350); Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development) (20); Other (7)" + "text": "Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM) (403); ACT-Wazalendo (2)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { - "text": "0%" + "text": "39.5%" }, "expected date of next election": { - "text": "October 2025" + "text": "October 2030" } }, "Judicial branch": { diff --git a/africa/zi.json b/africa/zi.json index 4ef05048..5a9a1bcf 100644 --- a/africa/zi.json +++ b/africa/zi.json @@ -1136,8 +1136,7 @@ "note": "note: ZINGSA is under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology Development" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a nascent program with the goal of utilizing space technologies in economic development, including remote sensing capabilities to assist with monitoring or managing agriculture and food security, climate change, disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and disasters, and natural resources, as well as weather forecasting; has cooperated with Japan and Russia (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a nascent program with the goal of using space technologies in economic development, including remote sensing capabilities to assist with monitoring or managing agriculture, food security, climate change, disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and disasters, and natural resources, as well as weather forecasting; has cooperated with Japan and Russia (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/as.json b/australia-oceania/as.json index 2a7dbfff..d2e44e50 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/as.json +++ b/australia-oceania/as.json @@ -1213,8 +1213,7 @@ "text": "Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex (commercial site, South Australia); Arnhem Space Center (commercial site, Northern Territory); Bown Orbital Spaceport (commercial site, North Queensland) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a history of involvement in space-related activities, including astronomy, rockets, satellites, and space tracking; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), navigational, and scientific/testing/research, often in partnership with other countries; develops other space technologies, including communications, RS capabilities, and telescopes; encouraging growth in domestic commercial space-industry sector, including satellite launch vehicles; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the European Space Agency (ESA), individual ESA member states, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US; co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems and hosts one of the telescopes for the international Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a history of involvement in space-related activities, including astronomy, rockets, satellites, and space tracking; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), and navigational, often in partnership with other countries; develops other space technologies, including communications, RS capabilities, and telescopes; encouraging growth in domestic commercial space-industry sector, including satellite launch vehicles; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the ESA, individual ESA member states, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US; co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems and hosts one of the telescopes for the international Square Kilometer Array radio telescope  (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nh.json b/australia-oceania/nh.json index ec82552e..fa88abe9 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nh.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nh.json @@ -579,6 +579,9 @@ }, "embassy": { "text": "Port Vila" + }, + "email address and website": { + "text": "
https://vt.usembassy.gov/" } }, "International organization participation": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nz.json b/australia-oceania/nz.json index 4d0ea778..b9b34749 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nz.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nz.json @@ -1152,8 +1152,7 @@ "text": "Mahia Peninsula Launch Complex (Hawke's Bay) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program focused largely on the development of a commercial space sector, particularly in the field of satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLV); manufactures and launches commercial satellites and SLVs; researches and develops a range of other space-related technologies, including propulsion systems; participates in international space programs and partners with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, Canada, the EU and the European Space Agency and their member states, South Africa, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space program focused largely on the development of a commercial space sector, particularly in the field of satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLV); manufactures and launches commercial satellites and SLVs; researches and develops a range of other space-related technologies, including propulsion systems; participates in international programs and partners with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, Canada, the EU, the ESA, individual European countries, South Africa, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json index b7d07044..1dc22ddd 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json @@ -1135,8 +1135,7 @@ "note": "note: ACE is a non-state, public entity subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications of Costa Rica" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small, recently established program focused on using space to develop the country’s economy and industry, including acquiring and utilizing satellites; has built a remote sensing (RS) cube satellite; has relations with the space agencies and commercial space industries of the US, the European Space Agency, and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small, recently established program focused on using space to develop the country’s economy and industry, including acquiring and using satellites; has built a remote sensing (RS) cube satellite; has relations with US space agencies and commercial space industries, as well as with the ESA and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json index db74181f..5759c8ce 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json @@ -1061,8 +1061,7 @@ "text": "National Secretariat for Extraterrestrial Space Affairs, The Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Secretaría Nacional para Asuntos del Espacio Ultraterrestre, la Luna y otros Cuerpos Celestes, established 2021; operates under the military’s control) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "stated mission of the space agency is to promote the development of space activities with the aim of broadening the country’s capacities in the fields of education, industry, science, and technology; has cooperated with China and Russia; is a signatory of the convention establishing the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "stated mission is to promote the development of space activities with the aim of broadening the country’s capacities in education, industry, science, and technology; has cooperated with China and Russia; is a signatory of the convention establishing the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/central-asia/kz.json b/central-asia/kz.json index 2245fb96..c5734f1d 100644 --- a/central-asia/kz.json +++ b/central-asia/kz.json @@ -1201,8 +1201,7 @@ "note": "note 1: Baikonur Cosmodrome is leased and administered by Russia until 2050; the cosmodrome was originally built by the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s and is the site of the World's first successful satellite launch (Sputnik) in 1957; it is also the largest space launch facility in the World

note 2: in 2018, Kazakhstan and Russia agreed that Kazakhstan would build, maintain, and operate a new space launch facility (Baiterek) at the Baikonur Space Center (estimated to be fully operational in 2027-2028)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program originated with the former Soviet Union; focused on the acquisition and operation of satellites; builds (with foreign assistance) and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; building space infrastructure, such as launch and testing facilities, ground stations, and rocket manufacturing; has an astronaut (cosmonaut) program; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and the UK; participates in international program such as the International Space Station; has state-owned and private companies that assist in the development and building of the country’s space program, including satellites, satellite payloads, and associated capabilities; they also work closely with foreign commercial entities (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "space program originated with the former Soviet Union; focuses on satellite acquisition and operation; builds (with foreign assistance) and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; building space infrastructure, such as launch and testing facilities, ground stations, and rocket manufacturing; has an astronaut (cosmonaut) program; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and the UK; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station; has state-owned and private companies that assist with the country’s space program and work closely with foreign commercial entities (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/central-asia/rs.json b/central-asia/rs.json index 83b5e0cf..d9c6ec42 100644 --- a/central-asia/rs.json +++ b/central-asia/rs.json @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "A Just Russia or SRZP
Civic Platform or GP
Communist Party of the Russian Federation or KPRF
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR
New People or NL
Party of Growth or PR
Rodina
United Russia or ER" + "text": "A Just Russia for Truth or SRZP
Civic Platform or CP
Communists of Russia or CPCR
Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF
Cossack Party of the Russian Federation or CosPRF
Democratic Party of Russia or DPR
Green Alternative or GA
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR
New People or NP
Party for Fairness! or PARZAS!
Party of Direct Democracy or PDD
Party of Progress or PP
Party of Pensioners or RPPSJ
Party of Russia's Rebirth or PRR
Party of Social Protection or PSP
Rodina
Russian Ecological Party or The Greens
Russian Party of Freedom and Justice or RPFJ
Russia United Democratic Party or Yabloko
United Russia or UR" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -1293,8 +1293,7 @@ "note": "note 1: the Baikonur cosmodrome and the surrounding area are leased and administered by Russia until 2050 for approximately $115 million/year; the cosmodrome was originally built by the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s and is the site of the World's first successful satellite launch (Sputnik) in 1957; it is also the largest space launch facility in the World, comprising 15 launch pads for space launch vehicles, four launch pads for testing intercontinental ballistic missiles, more than 10 assembly and test facilities, and other infrastructure 

note 2: in 2018, Kazakhstan and Russia agreed that Kazakhstan would build, maintain, and operate a new space launch facility (Baiterek) at the Baikonur space center (estimated to be ready for operations in 2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has one of the world’s largest space programs and is active across all areas of the space sector; builds, launches, and operates rockets/space launch vehicles (SLVs), satellites, space stations, interplanetary probes, and manned, robotic, and re-usable spacecraft; has astronaut (cosmonaut) training program and conducts human space flight; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related technologies; participates in international space programs such as the International Space Station (ISS); prior to Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia had relations with dozens of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of China, the European Space Agency (ESA), India, Japan, and the US; Roscosmos and its public subsidiaries comprise the majority of the Russian space industry; Roscosmos has eight operating areas, including manned space flights, launch systems, unmanned spacecraft, rocket propulsion, military missiles, space avionics, special military space systems, and flight control systems; private companies are also involved in a range of space systems, including satellites, telecommunications, remote-sensing, and geo-spatial services (2024)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has one of the world’s largest space programs and is active across all areas of the space sector; builds, launches, and operates satellite/space launch vehicles, satellites, space stations, interplanetary probes, and manned, robotic, and re-usable spacecraft; has astronaut (cosmonaut) training program and conducts human space flight; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related technologies; participates in international space programs such as the International Space Station; has had relations with dozens of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of China, the ESA, India, Japan, and the US; Roscosmos and its public subsidiaries comprise the majority of the Russian space industry; Roscosmos has eight operating areas, including manned space flights, launch systems, unmanned spacecraft, rocket propulsion, military missiles, space avionics, special military space systems, and flight control systems; private companies are also involved in a range of space systems (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/central-asia/tx.json b/central-asia/tx.json index 8bcb9778..fc3cf232 100644 --- a/central-asia/tx.json +++ b/central-asia/tx.json @@ -1063,8 +1063,7 @@ "text": "Turkmenistan National Space Agency (established 2011; transferred to the Space Department of the Ministry of Communications in 2019) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and developing the infrastructure to build and operate satellites; particularly interested in communications and remote sensing satellites; has cooperated with the space agencies and/or space industries of France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and developing the infrastructure to build and operate satellites; particularly interested in communications and remote sensing satellites; has cooperated with the space agencies and/or space industries of France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, and the US (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/central-asia/uz.json b/central-asia/uz.json index 8a347479..5503b1e1 100644 --- a/central-asia/uz.json +++ b/central-asia/uz.json @@ -1189,8 +1189,7 @@ "note": "note: Uzcosmos operates under the Ministry of Digital Technologies" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small but growing space effort focused on acquiring satellites and developing the country’s space industries and technologies in key sectors, including cartography, data processing, environmental and disaster monitoring, land use, resource management, and telecommunications; developing a 10-year national space program; recognized for its astronomy program; member of international space organizations; cooperates with foreign space agencies or commercial companies from a variety of countries, including those of Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and UAE (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small but growing space effort focused on acquiring satellites and developing the country’s space industries and technologies in key sectors, including cartography, data processing, environmental and disaster monitoring, land use, resource management, and telecommunications; recognized for its astronomy program; member of international space organizations; cooperates with foreign space agencies or commercial companies from a variety of countries, including those of Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the UAE (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json index f82d0dee..30e1f184 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json @@ -1254,8 +1254,8 @@ "text": "Jiuquan Launch Center (Inner Mongolia); Xichang Launch Center (Sichuan); Wenchang Launch Center (Hainan; Wenchang includes a commercial launch pad, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, which became operational in December 2024); Taiyuan Launch Center (Shanxi); Eastern Spaceport (Shandong; a coastal spaceport designed to facilitate maritime launches) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a large, comprehensive, and ambitious space program and is considered one of the world’s leading space powers; capable of manufacturing and operating the full spectrum of space launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including human-crewed, lunar/inter-planetary/asteroid probes, satellites (communications, remote sensing, navigational, scientific, etc.), space stations, and reusable space transportation systems such as orbital space planes/shuttles; has an astronaut/taikonaut program; researches and develops a range of space-related capabilities, including advanced telecommunications, optics, spacecraft components, and satellite payloads; participates in international space programs and co-leads (with Australia and Japan) the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; has signed space cooperation agreements with more than 45 national space agencies, including those of Brazil, Canada, France, and Russia, as well several international organizations; it has also cooperated with the European Space Agency; has a space industry dominated by two state-owned aerospace enterprises, but has developed a substantial commercial space sector, including launch services (2025)", - "note": "note 1: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

note 2: the US NASA is barred by a 2011 law from cooperating with the Chinese bilaterally in space unless approved by the US Congress; the US objected to China’s participation in the International Space Station program" + "text": "considered one of the world’s leading space powers, with a comprehensive and ambitious space program; can manufacture and operate the full spectrum of space launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including human-crewed, lunar/inter-planetary/asteroid probes, satellites (communications, remote sensing, navigational, scientific, etc.), space stations, and reusable space transportation; has an astronaut/taikonaut program; researches and develops a range of space-related capabilities, including advanced telecommunications, optics, spacecraft components, and satellite payloads; participates in international space programs and co-leads (with Australia and Japan) the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; has signed agreements with more than 45 national space agencies, including those of Brazil, Canada, France, and Russia, as well several international organizations; has also cooperated with ESA; two state-owned aerospace enterprises dominate space industry, but a substantial commercial space sector includes launch services (2025)", + "note": "note: the US NASA is barred by a 2011 law from cooperating with the Chinese bilaterally in space unless approved by the US Congress; the US objected to China’s participation in the International Space Station program" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json index ebfe6200..0273c2be 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json @@ -1233,8 +1233,7 @@ "text": "Indonesian Space Agency (INASA; formed 2022); National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN; established 2021); Research Organization for Aeronautics and Space (ORPA; formed 2021) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program focused largely on rocket development and the acquisition and operation of satellites; operates satellites; manufactures remote sensing (RS) satellites; has a sounding (research) rocket program geared towards development of an indigenous orbital satellite launch vehicle (SLV) and independent satellite launch capabilities; researching and developing a range of other space-related technologies and capabilities related to satellite payloads, communications, RS, and astronomy; has relations with several foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; national space program includes building up the country's private space sector (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses largely on rocket development and satellite acquisition/operation; manufactures remote sensing (RS) satellites; has a sounding (research) rocket program to develop an orbital satellite launch vehicle (SLV); researching and developing a range of other space-related technologies related to satellite payloads, communications, RS, and astronomy; has relations with several foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; national space program includes building up the country's private space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json index 973d4b26..2c8c3f4d 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json @@ -1220,8 +1220,7 @@ "text": "Tanegashima Space Center/Yoshinobu Launch Complex (Kagoshima), Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima), Noshiro Testing Center (Akita) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has one of the world’s largest and most advanced space programs with independent capabilities in all areas of space categories except for autonomous manned space flight; designs, builds, launches, and operates the full spectrum of satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), astronomical observation, scientific, and navigational/positional; designs, builds, and independently launches satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs) and other spacecraft, including interplanetary and Lunar probes, space station labs and modules, and space transportation systems; has a wide range of research and development programs, including radio waves, robotics, reusable SLVs, solar sails, space-based astronomy, spacecraft components, and space plasma; has an astronaut training program; participates in international space programs, such as the International Space Station (ISS) and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project, leading the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, and co-leading the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its individual member states, India, Russia, the UAE, the US, and a range of other countries and space agencies throughout Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions; has a commercial space industry that develops an array of space-related capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite payloads and subcomponents, and SLVs; in recent years, the Japanese Government has supported the development of space startup companies (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has one of the world’s largest and most advanced space programs, with independent capabilities in all areas except autonomous manned space flight; designs, builds, launches, and operates the full spectrum of satellites; designs, builds, and independently launches satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs) and other spacecraft; has a wide range of research and development programs; has an astronaut training program; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project; leads the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, the ESA and its member states, India, Russia, the UAE, the US; has a commercial space industry that develops space-related capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite payloads and subcomponents, and SLVs; in recent years, the Japanese Government has supported space startup companies (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json index c6d8d822..4eff6f87 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json @@ -880,8 +880,7 @@ "text": "Sohae Satellite Launching Station (aka Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center; North Pyongan province); Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (North Hamgyong province) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "North Korea’s leader has emphasized the development of space capabilities, particularly satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and remote sensing satellites; manufactures satellites and rockets/SLVs; independently launches rockets/SLVs; SLV program is viewed as closely related to the country's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles; passed a national space law in 2013, which was revised in 2022 to allow for the use of space for national defense purposes; has cooperated with Iran on space related technologies, and in June 2024, North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defense treaty which stated the two countries would “develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology including space” (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "North Korea’s leader has emphasized the development of space capabilities, particularly satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and remote sensing satellites; manufactures satellites and rockets/SLVs; independently launches rockets/SLVs; SLV program is viewed as closely related to the country's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles; passed a national space law in 2013, and revised it in 2022 to allow for the use of space for national defense; has cooperated with Iran on space-related technologies, and signed a mutual defense treaty with Russia in 2024 that stated the two countries would “develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology, including space” (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json index edc1e590..6e393bd5 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json @@ -1181,8 +1181,7 @@ "text": "Naro Space Center (South Jeolla province) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious space program focused on developing satellites, satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), and interplanetary probes; has a national space strategy; manufacturers and operates satellites, including those with communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and multipurpose capabilities; manufactures and launches SLVs; developing interplanetary space vehicles, including orbital probes and landers; participates in international space programs and has relations with an array of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK), India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Peru, Russia, UAE, and the US; has a commercial space industry involved in the development of satellites and space launch capabilities (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious space program focused on developing satellites, satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), and interplanetary probes; has a national space strategy; manufactures and operates satellites, including those with communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and multipurpose capabilities; manufactures and launches SLVs; developing interplanetary space vehicles, including orbital probes and landers; participates in international programs and works with an array of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK), India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Peru, Russia, UAE, and the US; has an active commercial space industry (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json index ad792d82..df3e28b5 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json @@ -1209,8 +1209,7 @@ "text": "has launched feasibility studies for potential space launch sites in Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space policy and program focused on the areas of remote sensing (RS), navigational services, and telecommunications to support domestic economic sectors; also seeks to promote a domestic space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; conducts research in RS capabilities and space sciences such as astronomy, atmospherics, space environment, and weather; has an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of the European Space Agency and some of its individual member states, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space policy and program focused on the areas of remote sensing (RS), navigational services, and telecommunications to support domestic economic sectors; seeks to promote a domestic space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; conducts research in RS capabilities and space sciences such as astronomy, atmospherics, space environment, and weather; has an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and works with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of the ESA, individual ESA member states, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json index ca37af11..fe699acd 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json @@ -1244,8 +1244,7 @@ "text": "Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA; established 2019) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small but ambitious space program focused on acquiring satellites and related technologies, largely for the areas of climate studies, national security, and risk management; also prioritizing development of the country’s space expertise and industry; manufactures and operates satellites (mostly micro- and nano-sized), including remote sensing and scientific/experimental; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the European Space Agency and some of its member states, India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and related technologies, largely for climate studies, national security, and risk management; also prioritizing development of space expertise and industry; manufactures and operates satellites (mostly micro- and nano-sized), including remote sensing and scientific/experimental; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the ESA (and some of its member states), India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json index 6c08b0be..2fa9d41c 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json @@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 7 October 2022)" + "text": "Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 7 October 2022); note - Sean O'NEILL was sworn in as the Ambassador-designate on 12 November 2025 and is expected to arrive in Thailand in the near-term" }, "embassy": { "text": "95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330" @@ -1254,14 +1254,14 @@ }, "Space": { "Space agency/agencies": { - "text": "Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA; created in 2000 from the Thailand Remote Sensing Center that was established in 1979; GISTDA is under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation); National Space Policy Committee (NSPC; advisory body to the prime minister) (2025)" + "text": "Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA; created in 2000 from the Thailand Remote Sensing Center that was established in 1979); National Space Policy Committee (NSPC) (2025)", + "note": "note: GISTDA is under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; the NSPC is an advisory body to the prime minister" }, "Space launch site(s)": { "text": "none; in 2023, announced intentions to build a spaceport with South Korean assistance (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious and growing national space program focused on the acquisition, production, and operation of satellites, as well as research and development of related space infrastructure, sciences, and technologies; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; manufactures scientific/research/testing cube satellites and developing the capabilities to produce RS satellites (has historically built satellites with foreign assistance); cooperates with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of other ASEAN countries, China, France, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; founding member of the China-led Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); has a growing space industry, including Southeast Asia’s first dedicated satellite manufacturing facility, which opened in 2021 (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious national space program focused on the acquisition, production, and operation of satellites, as well as research and development of related infrastructure, sciences, and technologies; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; manufactures scientific/research/testing cube satellites and is developing the capabilities to produce RS satellites (has historically built satellites with foreign assistance); works with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; founding member of the China-led Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); has a commercial space industry, including Southeast Asia’s first dedicated satellite manufacturing facility, which opened in 2021 (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json index d5ac45c6..977f408d 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json @@ -936,8 +936,7 @@ "text": "sounding rockets launched from Jui Peng Air Base (Pingtung); has announced intentions to build a future national space port on the southeast coast (Pingtung) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has had a formal national space development program since the early 1990s with a focus on the acquisition of satellites and the development of independent space capabilities, such as rocket manufacturing and satellite launch services; manufactures and operates satellites; manufactures and tests sounding rockets; researching and developing other space technologies, including remote sensing, telecommunications, small satellites, satellite payloads and ground station components, spacecraft components, navigational control, and rocket propulsion systems; has bi-lateral relations with the space programs of France, India, Japan, Paraguay, Poland, the UK, and the US; has a commercial space industry that provides components and expertise for TASA and is independently developing satellites and a small satellite launch vehicle; the government passed a space promotion act in 2021 encouraging private investment in the space industry (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has had a national space program since the early 1990s, with a focus on acquiring satellites and developing independent space capabilities, such as rocket manufacturing and satellite launch services; manufactures and operates satellites and sounding rockets; researching and developing other space technologies, including remote sensing, telecommunications, small satellites, satellite payloads and ground station components, spacecraft components, navigational control, and rocket propulsion systems; has bilateral relations with the space programs of France, India, Japan, Paraguay, Poland, the UK, and the US; has a commercial space industry that provides components and expertise for the Taiwan Space Agency and is independently developing satellites and a small satellite launch vehicle; the government passed a space promotion act in 2021 to encourage private investment in the space industry (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json index a1ce617a..e56237b1 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json @@ -1213,8 +1213,7 @@ "note": "note: the VNSC is under the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a growing national space program focused on acquiring, operating, and exploiting satellites, as well as expanding domestic capabilities in satellites and associated sub-system production, space sciences, and technology applications; builds and operates communications and remote sensing satellites; conducting research and development on space science and applied space technologies, such as advanced optics and space data exploitation; has worked closely with Japan on its space program; cooperation has included funding, loans, training, technical expertise, and data sharing; has also established relationships with the space agencies or commercial space sectors of some European countries (such as France), India, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a growing national space program focused on acquiring, operating, and exploiting satellites, as well as expanding domestic capabilities in satellites and associated sub-system production, space sciences, and technology applications; builds and operates communications and remote sensing satellites; conducting research and development on space science and applied space technologies, such as advanced optics and space data exploitation; has worked closely with Japan on its space program; has also established relationships with the space agencies or commercial space sectors of some European countries (such as France), India, and the US (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/au.json b/europe/au.json index d209188d..b75b0d19 100644 --- a/europe/au.json +++ b/europe/au.json @@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ "text": "Freedom Party (FPÖ) (57); People's Party (ÖVP) (51); Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) (41); NEOS (“New Austria”) (18); Greens (16)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { - "text": "36.1%" + "text": "35.5%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "September 2029" @@ -1159,8 +1159,7 @@ "text": "Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR; established in 1972 as the Austrian Space Agency) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "established a national space program in 2002; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including remote sensing and research/scientific satellites; member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the EU; works closely with ESA and EU member states and the commercial sector to develop a range of space capabilities and technologies, including applications for satellite payloads, space flight, and space research; participates in a range of ESA/EU programs, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; also cooperates with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, India, Russia, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "established a national space program in 2002; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including remote sensing and research/scientific satellites; member of the ESA; works closely with ESA and EU member states and the commercial sector to develop a range of space capabilities and technologies, including applications for satellite payloads, space flight, and space research; participates in a range of ESA/EU programs, including Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; also cooperates with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, India, Russia, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/be.json b/europe/be.json index bdf17091..9ae290f2 100644 --- a/europe/be.json +++ b/europe/be.json @@ -1209,8 +1209,7 @@ "text": "Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy-Interfederal Space Agency of Belgium (BIRA-IASB; established 1964; IASB added 2017); Belgium Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "builds satellites, particularly research/science/technology and remote sensing platforms; researches, develops, and produces a wide variety of space technologies, including telecommunications, optics, robotics, scientific instruments, and space launch vehicle components; founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and participates in a variety of ESA, as well as EU projects, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking, Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; hosts the European Space Security and Education Center (established 1968); participates in international astronomy efforts, particularly through the European Southern Observatory (ESO); in addition to the ESA, EU, and their members states, has cooperated bi-laterally with a variety foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, China, India, Russia, South Africa, UAE, Vietnam, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "builds satellites, particularly research/science/technology and remote sensing platforms; researches, develops, and produces a wide variety of space technologies, including telecommunications, optics, robotics, scientific instruments, and space launch vehicle components; founding member of the ESA and participates in a variety of ESA and EU projects, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking, Copernicus Earth observation, and Galileo global navigation satellite system; hosts the European Space Security and Education Center (established 1968); participates in international astronomy efforts, particularly through the European Southern Observatory (ESO); has worked with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities outside Europe, including those of Argentina, China, India, Russia, South Africa, UAE, Vietnam, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/bu.json b/europe/bu.json index eedb3659..cdf8901c 100644 --- a/europe/bu.json +++ b/europe/bu.json @@ -1195,8 +1195,7 @@ "text": "Space Research and Technology Institute - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS; formed in 1987 but originated from the Central Laboratory for Space Research and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which was established in 1969) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a long history of involvement in space-related activities going back to the 1960s; develops, produces, and operates satellites; researches, develops, and produces other space technologies, including those related to astrophysics, remote sensing, data exploitation, optics, and electronics; has specialized in producing scientific instruments for space research; has more than 20 research institutes; Cooperating State of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2015; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of the ESA and EU (and bi-laterally with their member states), India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a long history of space-related activities going back to the 1960s; develops, produces, and operates satellites; researches, develops, and produces other space technologies, including those related to astrophysics, remote sensing, data exploitation, optics, and electronics; has specialized in producing scientific instruments for space research; has more than 20 research institutes; Cooperating State of the ESA since 2015; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of the ESA, EU, individual ESA and EU member states, India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/ee.json b/europe/ee.json index 4b725c28..2c5ae090 100644 --- a/europe/ee.json +++ b/europe/ee.json @@ -777,8 +777,7 @@ "text": "ESA’s spaceport is located in Kourou, French Guiana; EU members Norway and Sweden have operational commercial space ports; the UK, non-EU member, has two operational commercial space ports (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "EU member states have a large and advanced commercial space sector capable of developing and producing a full range of capabilities and technologies; a key focus for both the EU Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) is encouraging the European commercial space sector; Europe is a global leader in satellite-based communications and hosts the headquarters of three of the world’s major satellite communications companies

ESA is comprehensive space agency that is active across the space sector except for launching humans into space including producing and operating satellites with a full spectrum of capabilities (communications, multipurpose, navigational, remote sensing, science/technology), satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), space launches, human space flight (has an astronaut training program), space transportation/automated transfer vehicles, reusable spacecraft, space station modules, spacecraft components, robotic space labs, lunar/planetary surface rovers, interplanetary space probes and exploration, space telescopes, and research; ESA participates in international space programs such as the International Space Station and works closely with Europe’s commercial space industry; it also cooperates with a broad range of space agencies and industries of non-member countries, including China, Japan, Russia, and the US; many of its programs are conducted jointly, particularly with the US space program

the EUSPA is responsible for the operational management of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo satellite navigation programs; the EU space strategy includes encouraging investment in and the use of space services and data, fostering competition and innovation, developing space technologies, and reinforcing Europe’s autonomy in accessing space (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "EU member states have a large and advanced commercial space sector that develops and produces a full range of capabilities and technologies; a key focus for both the European Space Agency (ESA) and the EU Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) is encouraging this sector; Europe is a global leader in satellite-based communications and hosts the headquarters of three of the world’s major satellite communications companies

ESA is comprehensive space agency that is active across the space sector, except for launching humans into space; its activities include producing and operating satellites with a full spectrum of capabilities (communications, multipurpose, navigational, remote sensing, science/technology), satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), space launches, astronaut training, space transportation/automated transfer vehicles, reusable spacecraft, space station modules, spacecraft components, robotic space labs, lunar/planetary surface rovers, interplanetary space probes and exploration, and space telescopes; ESA participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and works closely with Europe’s commercial space industry; it also works with a broad range of space agencies and industries of non-member countries, including China, Japan, Russia, and the US; many of its programs are conducted jointly, particularly with the US space program

the EUSPA is responsible for the operational management of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and Galileo satellite navigation programs; the EU space strategy encourages investment in and the use of space services and data, fosters competition and innovation, develops space technologies, and reinforces Europe’s autonomy in accessing space (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/fr.json b/europe/fr.json index 28891dd6..f26ad3b3 100644 --- a/europe/fr.json +++ b/europe/fr.json @@ -1283,8 +1283,7 @@ "text": "Guiana Space Center (Kourou, French Guiana; also serves as the spaceport for the ESA); note – prior to the completion of the Guiana Space Center in 1969, France launched rockets from Algeria (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has one of Europe’s largest space programs and is a key member of the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as one of its largest contributors; has independent capabilities in all areas of space categories except for autonomous manned space flight; can build, launch, and operate a range of space/satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including exploratory probes and a full spectrum of satellites; trained astronauts until training mission shifted to ESA in 2001; develops a wide range of space-related technologies; hosts the ESA headquarters and its space launch facility; participates in international space programs such as the Square Kilometer Array Project (world’s largest radio telescope) and International Space Station (ISS); cooperates with a broad range of space agencies and commercial space companies, including those of China, Egypt, individual ESA and EU member countries, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Russia, the UAE, the US, and several African countries; has a large commercial space sector involved in such areas as satellite construction and payloads, launch capabilities, and a range of other space-related capabilities and technologies (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has one of Europe’s largest space programs and is one of the top contributors to the ESA; has independent capabilities in all areas, except for autonomous manned space flight; can build, launch, and operate a range of space/satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including exploratory probes and a full spectrum of satellites; shifted astronaut training to ESA in 2001; hosts the ESA headquarters and its space launch facility; participates in international space programs such as the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope and International Space Station; works with a broad range of space agencies and commercial space companies, including those of China, Egypt, individual ESA and EU member countries, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Russia, the UAE, the US, and several African countries; has a large commercial space sector involved in satellite construction and payloads, launch capabilities, and a range of other space-related capabilities and technologies (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/gm.json b/europe/gm.json index 134b2b47..21347541 100644 --- a/europe/gm.json +++ b/europe/gm.json @@ -1234,8 +1234,7 @@ "text": "a commercial offshore launch platform that will operate from the North Sea is under development with both government and private funding (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has one of Europe’s largest space programs; is a key member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and one of its largest contributors; builds and operates satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), space probes, and unmanned orbiters; conducts research and develops a range of other space-related capabilities and technologies, including reusable space planes, satellite payloads (cameras, remote sensing, communications, optics, sensors, etc.), rockets and rocket propulsion, propulsion assisted landing technologies, and aeronautics; major participant in EU and ESA programs, including the Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn, Mars and Venus exploration missions, the Rosetta comet probe, the Galileo global navigation satellite system, and the Jupiter Icy Moons Exploration mission (JUICE); participates in ESA’s astronaut training program and human space flight operations and hosts the European Astronaut Center; participates in other international space programs, such as the International Space Station (ISS) and the James Webb Space Telescope; hosts the mission control centers for the ISS and the ESA, as well as the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT); in addition to ESA/EU and their member states, has ties to a range of foreign space programs, including those of China, Japan, Russia, and the US; has a robust commercial space industry sector that develops a broad range of space capabilities, including satellite launchers and reusable space craft, and cooperates closely with DLR, ESA, and other international commercial entities and government agencies (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has one of Europe’s largest space programs and is a top contributor to the ESA; builds and operates satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), probes, and unmanned orbiters; researches and develops a range of capabilities and technologies, including reusable space planes, satellite payloads, rockets, propulsion-assisted landing technologies, and aeronautics; participates in EU and ESA programs, including the Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn, Mars and Venus exploration missions, and the Galileo global navigation satellite system; participates in ESA’s astronaut training program and human space flight operations; hosts the European Astronaut Center; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station (ISS) and the James Webb Space Telescope; hosts mission control centers for the ISS, the ESA, and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT); has ties to foreign space programs, including those of China, Japan, Russia, and the US; has a robust commercial space sector  (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/gr.json b/europe/gr.json index bf80e01e..3bd8515d 100644 --- a/europe/gr.json +++ b/europe/gr.json @@ -1173,8 +1173,7 @@ "text": "Hellenic Space Center (HSC; aka Hellenic Space Agency; established 2018) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program focused on building and operating satellites for communications and remote sensing (RS) purposes; researches and develops space-related technologies in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, defense, environmental studies, RS, and telecommunications; has a national space strategy; as a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), it contributes to, participates in, and benefits from ESA capabilities and programs; also participates in EU space programs, such as Space Situational Awareness; also cooperates bilaterally with space agencies and commercial space sectors of ESA and EU member states, as well as the US; has a commercial space sector that researches, develops, and produces a variety of space technologies and capabilities, including satellite components, electronics, sensors, and telecommunications (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses on building and operating satellites for communications and remote sensing (RS); researches and develops space-related technologies in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, defense, environmental studies, RS, and telecommunications; contributes to and participates in ESA capabilities and programs; also participates in EU space programs and cooperates bilaterally with European and US space agencies and commercial space sectors; has a commercial space sector that researches, develops, and produces a variety of space technologies and capabilities (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/it.json b/europe/it.json index aea89c32..3f652164 100644 --- a/europe/it.json +++ b/europe/it.json @@ -1238,8 +1238,7 @@ "text": "the Broglio (aka San Marco, Malindi) Space Center, located near Malindi, Kenya, served from 1967 to 1988 as an Italian and international satellite launch facility; in 2020, Italy concluded a deal with Kenya to conduct rocket launches from the site again in the future; the Italian Space Agency has utilized the site as a satellite ground station since 2004

the Italian Government has designated the Taranto-Grottaglie Airport as a future spaceport and signed framework agreements with commercial space companies that could lead to suborbital and orbital launches from what would be called the Grottaglie Spaceport (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "is a key member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and one of its largest contributors; designs, builds, launches, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; designs and manufacturers probes, rockets, and orbital satellite launch vehicles (SLVs); researches, develops, and builds a range of other space-related technologies and participates in a wide array of international programs with astronauts, cargo containers, construction, expertise, modules, scientific experiments, and technology; hosts the ESA Center for Earth Observation; has astronaut cadre in the ESA astronaut corps; outside of the ESA/EU and their individual member states, has cooperated with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the US; participates in international space projects such as the International Space Station (ISS); has a considerable commercial space industrial sector encompassing a wide range of capabilities, including manufacturing satellites, satellite payloads, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, cargo containers, and their sub-components (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "one of the top contributors to the ESA; designs, builds, launches, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; designs and manufactures probes, rockets, and orbital satellite launch vehicles (SLVs); researches, develops, and builds a range of other space-related technologies and participates in a wide array of international programs; hosts the ESA Center for Earth Observation; has astronaut cadre in the ESA astronaut corps; has cooperated with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the US; participates in international projects such as the International Space Station; has considerable commercial space industries encompassing a wide range of capabilities (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/lu.json b/europe/lu.json index 9b180363..a07ebd8d 100644 --- a/europe/lu.json +++ b/europe/lu.json @@ -1090,8 +1090,7 @@ "text": "the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA; established 2018) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "LSA established largely to develop space policy, encourage and coordinate commercial space ventures, support space education, and to promote the country’s space-related capabilities internationally; has a national space strategy; has set up policy and funding initiatives (such as LuxIMPULSE) aimed at encouraging space research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship and attracting space-based industries; focused on developing commercial satellites and infrastructure (Luxembourg is home to some of the largest commercial satellite companies in the world), as well as other space sector capabilities and technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, remote sensing (RS), communications, and software; member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2005 and participates in a variety of ESA programs; cooperates bilaterally with individual ESA and EU member states; also has relations with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UAE, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "Luxembourg Space Agency was established in 2018 to develop space policy, encourage and coordinate commercial space ventures, support space education, and promote the country’s space-related capabilities internationally; has a national space strategy; has set up policy and funding initiatives (such as LuxIMPULSE) to encourage research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship and attract space-based industries; focuses on developing commercial satellites and infrastructure, as well as other capabilities and technologies; hosts some of the largest commercial satellite companies in the world; member of the ESA since 2005 and participates in a variety of ESA programs; cooperates bilaterally with individual ESA and EU member states; also works with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UAE, and the US (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/nl.json b/europe/nl.json index df36df74..d0c24bf3 100644 --- a/europe/nl.json +++ b/europe/nl.json @@ -1236,8 +1236,7 @@ "text": "Netherlands Space Office (NSO; established 2009) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program focused on the development of advanced space technologies and services based on satellite data; builds and operates a range of satellites, including communications and remote sensing (RS); researches and develops technologies related to astrophysics, atmospheric measuring instruments (such as spectrometers), planetary/exoplanetary research, propulsion systems, RS, robotics, and telecommunications; founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and active in the EU space community; hosts the ESA's main research and technology center; participates in the construction of European satellite launch vehicles and a range of other European space programs, such as Copernicus Earth observation and the Galileo global navigation satellite system; participates in international space programs, including the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array Project; also works with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Japan and the US; has a robust commercial space sector tied in to the larger European space economy (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space program focused on developing advanced space technologies and services based on satellite data; builds and operates a range of satellites, including communications and remote sensing (RS); researches and develops technologies related to astrophysics, atmospheric measuring instruments, planetary/exoplanetary research, propulsion systems, RS, robotics, and telecommunications; founding member of the ESA and active in the EU space community; hosts the ESA's main research and technology center; participates in building European satellite launch vehicles and a range of other European space programs, such as Copernicus Earth observation and the Galileo global navigation satellite system; participates in international programs, including the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array project; works with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Japan and the US; has a robust commercial space sector  (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/no.json b/europe/no.json index 80a7a347..ef954e90 100644 --- a/europe/no.json +++ b/europe/no.json @@ -1191,8 +1191,7 @@ "text": "Andøya Space Center (Andøya Island; note - first operational spaceport in continental Europe) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "jointly designs and builds satellites with foreign partners, including communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and navigational/positional; operates satellites; develops and launches sounding rockets; researches and produces a range of other space-related technologies, including satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) and space station components, telescopes, and robotics; conducts solar and telecommunications research; member of the European Space Agency and space program is closely coordinated the organization, as well as with the EU; participates in international space programs, such as the International Space Station; hosts training for Mars landing missions on the island of Svalbard; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, ESA/EU member states, Japan, Russia, and the US; has an active and advanced space industry that cooperates with both the NOSA and foreign space programs and produces a variety of space-related products, from terminals for satellite communications and technologies for RS satellites to sensors for gamma radiation in deep space (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "jointly designs and builds satellites with foreign partners, including communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and navigational/positional satellites; develops and launches sounding rockets; researches and produces a range of other space-related technologies, including satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) and space station components, telescopes, and robotics; conducts solar and telecommunications research; member of the ESA; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station; hosts training on the island of Svalbard for Mars landing missions; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, ESA/EU member states, Japan, Russia, and the US; has an active and advanced private-sector space industry that works with domestic and foreign space programs  (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/pl.json b/europe/pl.json index 7128936d..267a70ac 100644 --- a/europe/pl.json +++ b/europe/pl.json @@ -1225,8 +1225,7 @@ "text": "Polish Space Agency (POLSA; established 2014; operational in 2015) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program is integrated within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA); builds satellites, including nano/cube remote sensing (RS) and educational/scientific/technology satellites; researches and develops communications, RS, navigational, and other scientific applications for satellite payloads; creating infrastructure for receiving, storing, processing and distributing data from meteorological and environmental satellites; researches and develops other space-related technologies, including sensors and robotic probes for interplanetary landers, and launcher systems; participates in ESA/EU and other international space programs; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, Canada, China, ESA/EU member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, UK, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector with more than 300 active enterprises (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "builds satellites, including nano/cube remote sensing (RS) and scientific/technology satellites; researches and develops communications, RS, navigational, and other scientific applications for satellite payloads; creating infrastructure for data from meteorological and environmental satellites; researches and develops other space-related technologies, including sensors and robotic probes for interplanetary landers, and launcher systems; space program is integrated with the ESA and the EU; participates in a variety of ESA/EU and international programs; cooperates with a variety of other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, Canada, China, ESA/EU member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy), India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, UK, and the US; has a commercial space sector with more than 300 active enterprises (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/po.json b/europe/po.json index 8dd39d25..7ea50cb4 100644 --- a/europe/po.json +++ b/europe/po.json @@ -1164,8 +1164,7 @@ "text": "in August 2025, Portugal granted a license to a commercial consortium to build and operate a space launch center on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores; the first orbital launches are expected in 2027 (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "national space program is integrated within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA); builds and operates satellites; researches and develops a range of space-related technologies with an emphasis on small/micro/nano satellites for remote sensing (RS), navigational, science/technology, and telecommunications, as well as satellite launch services; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states, cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a variety of countries, including those of Algeria, Angola, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and the US; also cooperates with international organizations and projects as the Europe South Observatory (ESO) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Observatory project; one of the objectives of the country's national space strategy (Portugal Space 2030) is to increase the annual outcome of commercial space related activities in the country to about $500 million by 2030 (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "largely focuses on the acquisition and operation of satellites; researches and develops a range of space-related technologies with an emphasis on small satellites for remote sensing (RS), navigational, science/technology, and telecommunications, as well as satellite launch services; space program is integrated with the ESA and involved in a variety of ESA and EU space programs; works with the space agencies and industries of a range of countries, including Algeria, Angola, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Morocco, South Korea, and the US; also cooperates with international organizations and projects such as the Europe South Observatory and the Square Kilometer Array; one of the objectives of the country's national space strategy is to expand its commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/ro.json b/europe/ro.json index cdb77910..b45e3a42 100644 --- a/europe/ro.json +++ b/europe/ro.json @@ -1256,8 +1256,7 @@ "text": "Romanian Space Agency (Agentia Spatiala Romania, ROSA; established 1991) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program is integrated into the European Space Agency (ESA), which it first started cooperating with in 1992 and formally joined in 2011; program is involved in the development and production of a wide range of capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), remote sensing, human space flight, navigation, telecommunications, and other space-related applications; in addition to the ESA/EU and their member states (particularly Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy), it cooperates with a variety of other space agencies and commercial space entities, including those of Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Russia, and the US; also participates in international programs; has an active space industry sector with over 50 entities involved in space-related activities (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "develops and produces a range of capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite launch vehicles, remote sensing, human space flight, navigation, and telecommunications; program is integrated into the ESA; participates in EU and international space programs; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial space entities, including those of Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Russia, and the US; also works bilaterally with ESA member states, particularly Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy; has an active space-industry sector with over 50 entities (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/sp.json b/europe/sp.json index 2ce9d310..6e41f125 100644 --- a/europe/sp.json +++ b/europe/sp.json @@ -1247,8 +1247,7 @@ "text": "El Arenosillo Test Center/Range (Andalusia) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program is integrated into the European Space Agency (ESA) and dates back to the 1940s; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific/technology satellites; has developed sounding rockets; conducts research and development in a broad range of space-related capabilities, including astrobiology, astronomy, imaging/RS, materials, meteorology, optics, propulsion, robotics, satellites (particularly micro- and nano-satellites), satellite systems and subsystems, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), and space sciences; participates in ESA, EU, and other international programs; hosts the European Space Astronomy Center (ESOC) and the ESA’s Space Surveillance and Tracking Data Centre (ESAC); cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including those of ESA and EU member states and the US; has a considerable commercial space industry, which is involved in a wide range of space-related research, development, and production, including satellites and SLVs (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "space program dates back to the 1940s; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific/technology satellites; has developed sounding rockets; conducts research and development in a broad range of space-related capabilities, including astrobiology, astronomy, imaging/RS, meteorology, optics, propulsion, robotics, satellites (particularly micro- and nano-satellites), and satellite launch vehicles; program is integrated into the ESA; also participates in EU space programs; hosts the European Space Astronomy Center (ESOC) and the ESA’s Space Surveillance and Tracking Data Centre (ESAC); cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including the US; has an active commercial space industry (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/sw.json b/europe/sw.json index de15cdc5..233ce09d 100644 --- a/europe/sw.json +++ b/europe/sw.json @@ -1186,8 +1186,7 @@ "text": "Esrange Space Center (Kiruna) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and program is integrated within its framework; aims to have one of Europe's leading space programs; produces and operates satellites; builds and launches sounding rockets; involved in the research, development, production, and operations of a wide variety of other space-related areas and capabilities, including astronomy, atmospheric monitoring, geographic information systems, infrared imaging, meteorology, propulsion systems, remote sensing, satellite subsystems, spacecraft systems and structures, space physics, scientific research, stratospheric balloons, and telecommunications; conducts extensive bilateral and multilateral international cooperation, in particular through the ESA and EU and their member states, as well as with the US; participates in such programs as Europe's Copernicus Earth observation and the Galileo global navigation satellite system, France's Pleiades project for sharing satellite imagery, and the international Square Kilometer Array Project; has a robust commercial space industry, including state-owned enterprises (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "aims to have one of Europe's leading space programs; produces and operates satellites; builds and launches sounding rockets; involved in the research, development, production, and operations of a variety of other space-related areas, including astronomy, atmospheric monitoring, geographic information systems, infrared imaging, meteorology, propulsion systems, remote sensing, satellite subsystems, spacecraft systems and structures, research, and telecommunications; member of the ESA and program is integrated into its framework; works extensively with foreign space agencies, in particular through the ESA and EU and their member states, as well as with the US; participates in programs such as Europe's Copernicus Earth observation and the Galileo global navigation satellite system, France's Pleiades project, and the Square Kilometer Array Project; has a large commercial space industry, including state-owned enterprises (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/uk.json b/europe/uk.json index 4977fa6d..528ae102 100644 --- a/europe/uk.json +++ b/europe/uk.json @@ -1230,8 +1230,8 @@ "text": "Spaceport 1 (Outer Hebrides, Scotland); Spaceport Machrihanish (Argyll, Scotland); Glasgow Prestwick (South Ayrshire, Scotland); Spaceport Snowdonia (Gwynedd, Wales); SaxaVord UK Spaceport (Unst, Shetland Islands); Sutherland Spaceport (Sutherland, Scotland); Sutherland, Scotland (Cornwall Airport Newquay, Cornwall) (2024)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a long-standing and comprehensive national space program; is active across all areas of the space sector outside of human space flight, including satellite launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets and their components, space probes, satellites and satellite subcomponents, space sensors, spaceports, and various other space-related capabilities and technologies; is a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and heavily involved in ESA programs; has bi-lateral relations with many ESA members and is a close partner of the US NASA; since 2016 has forged over 350 relationships with international organizations across nearly 50 countries; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the James Webb Space Telescope; has a large commercial space sector involved in the production of SLVs and their components, satellites, satellite subcomponents and sensors, and other space-related technologies; the UK has a space industrial plan, and the UKSA has provided funding to encourage and support commercial space projects (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a long-standing, comprehensive national space program; is active across all areas of the space sector except human space flight, including satellite launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets, probes, satellites, and spaceports; is a founding member of the ESA and is deeply involved in ESA programs; has bilateral relations with many ESA members and is a close partner of the US NASA; since 2016 has forged over 350 relationships with international organizations across nearly 50 countries; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the James Webb Space Telescope; has a large commercial space sector; the UK has a space industrial plan, and the UK Space Agency has provided funding for commercial space projects (2025)", + "note": "note: the UK was part of several EU-sponsored space programs until departing the EU in 2020, including the Galileo global positioning system and the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) project; it remained part of the Copernicus Earth observation and Horizon Europe research and innovation programs after 2020; the UK has participated or continues to participate in multiple ESA programs, including Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn, the Mars Express space exploration missions, the Rosetta comet probe, and the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission
" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/europe/up.json b/europe/up.json index 5b0d569d..a519e2ce 100644 --- a/europe/up.json +++ b/europe/up.json @@ -1230,8 +1230,8 @@ "text": "State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU; established 1992 as the National Space Agency of Ukraine or NSAU and renamed in 2010) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "Ukraine inherited a large and well-developed space program when it took over all of the former Soviet defense/space industry that was located on its territory upon the country’s independence in 1991; the modern program includes the production of satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rocket carriers and their components, satellites, and satellite sub-components; prior to the full scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine was producing more than 100 SLVs, SLV stages, or SLV engines annually, and since 1991, over 160 rockets and more than 370 spacecraft had been manufactured by Ukraine or produced with its participation; Ukraine cooperates with numerous foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, Canada, China, the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU, and their member states (particularly Italy and Poland), Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia (curtailed after 2014), Turkey, and the US; Ukraine's “space cluster,” a region between the cities of Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Kyiv includes around 20 state-run space industries; in 2019, the Ukrainian Parliament began allowing private companies to engage in space endeavors, including launching rockets into space and allowing companies to negotiate with foreign companies without the state’s approval (2025)", - "note": "note 1: Dnipro, known as Ukraine's “Rocket City,” was one of the Soviet Union’s main centers for space, nuclear, and military industries and played a crucial role in the development and manufacture of both civilian and military rockets

note 2: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "the country inherited a large, well-developed space program when it gained independence in 1991, taking over all the former Soviet defense/space industry that was located on its territory; the modern program includes the production of satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rocket carriers, satellites, and related components; prior to the Russian invasion in 2022, the country was producing more than 100 SLVs, SLV stages, or SLV engines annually; has worked with numerous foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia (curtailed after 2014), Turkey, and the US, as well as the ESA, the EU, and their member states (particularly Italy and Poland); has about 20 state-run space industries; in 2019, the Ukrainian Parliament began allowing private companies to engage in space activities (2025)", + "note": "note: Dnipro, known as Ukraine's “Rocket City,” was one of the Soviet Union’s main centers for space, nuclear, and military industries and played a crucial role in the development and manufacture of both civilian and military rockets
" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/middle-east/ae.json b/middle-east/ae.json index ac4fcf89..c26df57d 100644 --- a/middle-east/ae.json +++ b/middle-east/ae.json @@ -1149,8 +1149,7 @@ "text": "UAE Space Agency (created in 2014); Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC; established 2006) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious and growing national space program; focused on satellite development, including communications, remote sensing, and navigational, as well as capabilities (such as probes) for deep space exploration; also placing emphasis on building expertise, infrastructure, ground stations, technology, and research and development capabilities to support its space program domestically; rather than building its own launch capabilities, has elected to utilize foreign partners to launch payloads from spaceports abroad; has looked to invest in foreign commercial space companies and encourage global partnerships; has a foreign-assisted astronaut training program; seeking to establish UAE as an international hub for space education; founding member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group; has signed more than 25 cooperation agreements or memorandums of understanding with major global and regional players in the space sector, including China, Egypt, the European Space Agency, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US; sees the development of its commercial space industry as a key pillar for diversifying and developing the country’s non-oil economy; in 2022, pledged to spend more than $800 million in the private space sector to grow the country’s capabilities in space over the following 10 years; dozens of space companies and entities operate in the UAE, including international and start-ups, plus several space science research centers (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious and growing national space program; focused on satellite development, including communications, remote sensing, and navigation, as well as deep space exploration; is building expertise, infrastructure, technology, and research and development capabilities; has elected to use foreign partners to launch payloads from spaceports abroad; has looked to invest in foreign commercial space companies and develop global partnerships; has a foreign-assisted astronaut training program; seeking to establish UAE as an international hub for space education; founding member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group; works with major global and regional players, including China, Egypt, the ESA, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US; sees its commercial space industry as a key to diversifying and developing the country’s non-oil economy; dozens of space companies operate in the UAE, including international and start-ups, plus several space-science research centers (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/middle-east/aj.json b/middle-east/aj.json index f3efc42f..b1576c47 100644 --- a/middle-east/aj.json +++ b/middle-east/aj.json @@ -1125,8 +1125,7 @@ "text": "Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos; established 2010 as a state-owned satellite operating company); Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency (NASA; Azərbaycan Milli Aerokosmik Agentliyi, MAKA; established 1992; since 2006, has operated under the Ministry of Defense Industry) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "national space program largely focused on the acquisition and operation of satellites; operates foreign-built communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of China, the European Space Agency (and bilaterally with individual member states such as France), Israel, Russia, Turkey, and the US; Azercosmos is the largest satellite operator in the Caucasus region (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "largely focused on the acquisition and operation of satellites; operates foreign-built communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of China, the ESA (bilaterally with individual member states such as France), Israel, Russia, Turkey, and the US; Azercosmos is the largest satellite operator in the Caucasus region (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/am.json b/middle-east/am.json index 30813230..1e6febdb 100644 --- a/middle-east/am.json +++ b/middle-east/am.json @@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Armenia Alliance or HD
Armenian National Congress or ANC
Bright Armenia
Civil Contract or KP
Country To Live In
Homeland of Armenians
Homeland Party
I Have Honor Alliance (formerly known as the Republican Party of Armenia) PUD
Liberal Party
National Democratic Party
Prosperous Armenia or BHK
Republic Party (Hanrapetutyun Party)" + "text": "Armenia Alliance or HD
Armenian National Congress or ANC
Bright Armenia or BA
Civil Contract or KP
Hanrapetutyun Party or HP
Heritage
I Have Honor Alliance (formerly known as the Republican Party of Armenia) PUD
Orinats Yerkir or OY
Prosperous Armenia or PAP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { diff --git a/middle-east/ba.json b/middle-east/ba.json index fa0e1c47..e7a28206 100644 --- a/middle-east/ba.json +++ b/middle-east/ba.json @@ -1115,8 +1115,7 @@ "text": "Bahrain Space Agency (BSA; established 2014) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program with a focus on promoting space research and science, applying space-related technologies, and building capacity in the fields of satellite manufacturing, tracking, control, data processing and analysis, and remote sensing; cooperates with a variety of foreign agencies and commercial entities, including those of India, Italy, Japan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses on promoting space research and science, applying space-related technologies, and building capacity in the fields of satellite manufacturing, tracking, control, data processing and analysis, and remote sensing; cooperates with a variety of foreign agencies and commercial entities, including those of India, Italy, Japan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the UAE, and the US; also a member of the Arab Space Coordination Group (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/ir.json b/middle-east/ir.json index f7f3ed85..36666466 100644 --- a/middle-east/ir.json +++ b/middle-east/ir.json @@ -1165,8 +1165,7 @@ "text": "Imam Khomeini Space Center (aka Semnan Space Center; Semnan province); Shahroud Space Center (Semnan Province; IRGC-operated); Chabahar Space Center (Sistan and Baluchistan Province; under development) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious civil and military space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites and developing indigenous satellite launch vehicles (SLV); designs, builds, and operates satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific; manufactures and operates SLVs; researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies in such areas as telecommunications, RS, navigation, and space situational awareness; UN Security Council and other international sanctions against Iran’s weapons of mass destruction program have severely limited Iran’s cooperation with foreign space agencies and commercial space industries; in recent years, however, it has cooperated with North Korea and Russia on space issues; Iran has also had relations with regional and international space organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization; it was a founding member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) established in 1958; has a private space industry involved in the development and production of satellites, satellite payloads, and other space technologies (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious civil and military space program focused on satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLV); designs, builds, and operates satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific; manufactures and operates SLVs; researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies in areas such as telecommunications, RS, navigation, and space situational awareness; international sanctions against Iran’s weapons of mass destruction program have severely limited Iran’s cooperation with foreign space agencies and commercial space industries; in recent years, however, it has worked with North Korea and Russia, as well as regional and international space organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization; Iran was a founding member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 1958; has an active private space industry (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/is.json b/middle-east/is.json index 3f3dba08..93f5ed9b 100644 --- a/middle-east/is.json +++ b/middle-east/is.json @@ -1164,8 +1164,7 @@ "text": "Palmachim Airbase (Central district) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious space program and one of the most advanced in the region; designs, builds, operates, and launches communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; designs, builds, and operates orbital satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs); researches and develops a range of other space-related capabilities with a focus on lightweight and miniaturized technologies, including robotics and small satellites with high resolution RS imaging and communications capabilities; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and space industries, including those of Canada, the European Space Agency (and individual member states, such as France, Germany, and Italy), India, Japan, Mexico, and the US; has a substantial commercial space sector, as well as state-owned enterprises (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious space program that is one of the most advanced in the region; designs, builds, operates, and launches communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; designs, builds, and operates orbital satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs); researches and develops a range of other space-related capabilities, with a focus on lightweight and miniaturized technologies; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, the ESA, individual ESA member states (such as France, Germany, and Italy), India, Japan, Mexico, and the US; has a substantial commercial space sector, as well as state-owned enterprises (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/sa.json b/middle-east/sa.json index 1268b9ac..28c9deab 100644 --- a/middle-east/sa.json +++ b/middle-east/sa.json @@ -1139,8 +1139,7 @@ "text": "Saudi Space Agency (SSA; elevated to agency level from previous Saudi Space Commission or SSC, which was established in 2018); King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST; established 1977) (2024)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space strategy and an ambitious space program; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; develops a range of satellite subsystems and payload technologies; SSA's missions include accelerating economic diversification, enhancing research and development, and raising private sector participation in the global space industry; is the main founder and financier of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat; launched in 1976; headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the primary satellite communications service provider the Arab world); cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a wide range of countries, including those of Belarus, China, Egypt, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Greece, and Hungary), India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK, and the US; member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group (2024)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space strategy (Vision 2030) that seeks to grow its domestic space industry and use the space sector to accelerate economic diversification, enhance scientific research and development, and raise private-sector participation in the global space industry; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; develops a range of satellite subsystems and payload technologies; is the main founder and financier of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat, launched in 1976 and headquartered in Riyadh); cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a wide range of countries, including those of Belarus, China, Egypt, the ESA and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Greece, and Hungary), India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK, and the US; member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/sy.json b/middle-east/sy.json index a221d6ce..09058031 100644 --- a/middle-east/sy.json +++ b/middle-east/sy.json @@ -1063,8 +1063,7 @@ "text": "Syrian Space Agency (created in 2014); status is unclear since the fall of the ASAD Government (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "status unclear; has been handicapped by the impact of the civil war, including the loss of students and scientists who fled the country; had previously focused on satellite development and related space technologies, as well as scientific research; has relations with the space agency and space industries of Russia (2024)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "status unclear; has been handicapped by the impact of the civil war, including the loss of students and scientists who fled the country; had previously focused on satellite development and related space technologies, as well as scientific research; has relations with the space agency and space industries of Russia (2024)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/tu.json b/middle-east/tu.json index 4da2e084..8f6ec237 100644 --- a/middle-east/tu.json +++ b/middle-east/tu.json @@ -1220,8 +1220,7 @@ "text": "rocket test launch site on the Black Sea in Sinop Province; constructing a rocket launch facility in Somalia as of 2025 (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has an ambitious national space program with a focus on satellites, satellite components, software development, ground station technologies, and building up the country’s space industries; manufactures and operates remote sensing and telecommunications satellites; in recent years has initiated a space launch vehicle (SLV) program with the goal of independently placing satellites into orbit and a probe on the Moon; has established relations with more than 25 foreign space agencies and corporations, including those of Azerbaijan, China, France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US, as well as the European Space Agency; has state-owned rocket and satellite development companies, including some under the Ministry of Defense; also has a growing private space industry sector, and the Turkish Government has pledged to increase the country's share of the global space market (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has an ambitious national space program with a focus on satellites, satellite components, satellite launch capabilities, software development, ground station technologies, and building up the country’s space industries; manufactures and operates remote sensing and telecommunications satellites; in recent years has initiated a satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV) program with the goal of independently placing satellites into orbit and a probe on the Moon; works with more than 25 foreign space agencies and corporations, including those of Azerbaijan, China, France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US, as well as the ESA; has state-owned rocket and satellite development companies, including some under the Ministry of Defense; has a growing private space-industry sector, and the Turkish Government has pledged to increase the country's share of the global space market (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/ym.json b/middle-east/ym.json index 2530661d..e7f9b8c8 100644 --- a/middle-east/ym.json +++ b/middle-east/ym.json @@ -630,14 +630,11 @@ "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Steven H. FAGIN (since 1 June 2022); note - the embassy closed in March 2015; Yemen Affairs Unit currently operates out of US Embassy Riyadh" }, - "embassy": { - "text": "previously - Sa'awan Street, Sanaa" - }, "mailing address": { "text": "6330 Sanaa Place, Washington DC  20521-6330" }, "telephone": { - "text": "US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-3800
previously - [967] 1 755-2000" + "text": "US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-835-4000" }, "FAX": { "text": "US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-7360" diff --git a/north-america/ca.json b/north-america/ca.json index 6a7ee1a6..71748280 100644 --- a/north-america/ca.json +++ b/north-america/ca.json @@ -1239,8 +1239,7 @@ "note": "note: the Churchill Rocket Research Range in Manitoba was used for rocket testing from 1956-1985" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space strategy and a long history of developing space-related technologies; designs, builds, operates, and tracks communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, and scientific/testing satellites; has an astronaut program; involved in the development and production of advanced communications systems, lunar rovers, planetary probes, robotics, sensors, and space telescopes; participates in international space programs, including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope; Cooperating State of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1979 and participates in a variety of ESA programs, such as the Copernicus Earth observation project; cooperates bilaterally with numerous foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Brazil, ESA and EU member states, Japan, India, and particularly the US; has a commercial space sector that is involved in navigation, optics, satellite communications, space exploration, and space science (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space strategy and a long history of developing space-related technologies; designs, builds, operates, and tracks communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, and scientific/testing satellites; has an astronaut program; involved in the development and production of advanced communications systems, lunar rovers, planetary probes, robotics, sensors, and space telescopes; participates in international space programs, including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope; Cooperating State of the ESA since 1979 and participates in a variety of ESA programs, such as the Copernicus Earth observation project; works with numerous foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Brazil, individual ESA and EU member states, Japan, India, and particularly the US; has an active commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/north-america/mx.json b/north-america/mx.json index 3b03e2dd..f975da6e 100644 --- a/north-america/mx.json +++ b/north-america/mx.json @@ -1303,8 +1303,7 @@ "text": "Mexican Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Mexicana or AEM; established 2010 and began operating in 2013) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space policy with a focus on expanding Mexico's commercial space sector, including developing specialists, technologies, and infrastructure, and acquiring satellites; manufactures and operates communications and scientific satellites; conducts research in a range of space-related capabilities and technologies, including satellite payloads, telecommunications, remote sensing, robotics, Earth and weather sciences, astronomy, and astrophysics; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial space industries, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member states (particularly France, Germany, and the UK), India, Japan, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and the US; led effort to establish the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) and hosts its headquarters (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space policy with a focus on expanding Mexico's commercial space sector, including acquiring satellites and developing specialists, technologies, and infrastructure; manufactures and operates communications and scientific satellites; conducts research on a range of space-related capabilities and technologies, including astronomy, astrophysics, Earth and weather sciences, remote sensing, robotics, satellite payloads, and telecommunications; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial space industries, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France, Germany, and the UK), India, Japan, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and the US; led effort to establish the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and hosts its headquarters (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/north-america/us.json b/north-america/us.json index e4d991fa..7c675789 100644 --- a/north-america/us.json +++ b/north-america/us.json @@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ } }, "Mother's mean age at first birth": { - "text": "27 years (2019 est.)" + "text": "27.5 years (2023 est.)" }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "17 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)" @@ -1205,8 +1205,7 @@ "text": "has 20 government and commercial spaceports licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration spread across 10 states (Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a large and comprehensive space program and is one of the world’s top space powers; builds, launches, and operates space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets and the full spectrum of spacecraft, including interplanetary probes, manned craft, reusable rockets, satellites, space stations, and space planes; has an astronaut program and a corps of astronauts; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related technologies, such as advanced telecommunications and optics, navigational aids, propulsion, robotics, solar sails, and space-based manufacturing, repair, and refueling; has launched orbital or lander probes to the Sun and all the planets in the solar system, as well as to asteroids and beyond the solar system; has dozens of international missions and projects, including with Canada, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the European Space Agency (ESA); as of October 2025, nearly 60 countries had signed onto the US-led Artemis Accords to enhance the governance of civil exploration and use of outer space, with the intention of advancing the Artemis Program, an international effort to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and an onward human mission to Mars; the US commercial space industry is one of the world’s largest and most capable and is active across the spectrum of US government space programs; US commercial companies conduct the majority of NASA and US military space launches (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a large, comprehensive space program and is one of the world’s top space powers; builds, launches, and operates space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets and the full spectrum of spacecraft, including interplanetary probes, manned craft, reusable rockets, satellites, space stations, and space planes/shuttles; has an astronaut program and a corps of astronauts; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related technologies, including advanced telecommunications and optics, navigational aids, propulsion, and robotics; has launched orbital or lander probes to the Sun and all the planets in the solar system, as well as to asteroids and beyond the solar system; has dozens of international missions and projects, including with Canada, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the ESA; as of October 2025, nearly 60 countries had signed onto the US-led Artemis Accords to enhance the governance of civil exploration and use of outer space; the US commercial space industry is one of the world’s largest and is active across the spectrum of US government space programs; US commercial companies conduct the majority of NASA and US military space launches (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/ar.json b/south-america/ar.json index c63372b4..397b2564 100644 --- a/south-america/ar.json +++ b/south-america/ar.json @@ -1232,8 +1232,7 @@ "text": "Manuel Belgrano Space Center (Buenos Aires province); Punta Indio Space Center (Buenos Aires province); Teofilo Tabanera Space Center (CETT; Cordoba Province; testing/mission control) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a national space program and a history in the development of space-related capabilities, including rockets and satellites; develops, builds, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites, often in partnership with other countries; developing additional satellites with more advanced payloads; contracts with commercial and other government space agencies for launches but has a domestic rocket program and is developing space launch vehicle (SLV) capabilities; cooperates with a broad range of space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Italy), and the US; also has a commercial space industry, which includes efforts to design, build, and launch reusable SLVs (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a national space program and a history in the development of space-related capabilities, including rockets and satellites; develops, builds, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites, often in partnership with other countries; developing additional satellites with more advanced payloads; contracts with commercial and other government space agencies for launches, but has a domestic rocket program and is developing space launch vehicle (SLV) capabilities; cooperates with a broad range of space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Italy), and the US; also has a commercial space industry (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/bl.json b/south-america/bl.json index 0b918f0b..0287cd9a 100644 --- a/south-america/bl.json +++ b/south-america/bl.json @@ -1196,8 +1196,7 @@ "text": "Bolivian Space Agency (la Agencia Boliviana Espacial, ABE; established 2010 as a national public company under Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites; operates a telecommunications satellite and ground stations; has cooperated with China and India and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites; operates a telecommunications satellite and ground stations; has cooperated with China and India and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/br.json b/south-america/br.json index 62588ef0..ae3464fa 100644 --- a/south-america/br.json +++ b/south-america/br.json @@ -1291,8 +1291,7 @@ "text": "Alcantara Launch Center (Maranhão state); Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (Rio Grande do Norte state) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, navigational, and scientific/testing/research; satellites are launched by foreign partners, but Brazil has a long-standing sounding (research) rocket and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and rocket launch facilities; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Canada, the European Space Agency and individual member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US; has a state-controlled communications company that operates Brazil’s communications satellites and a growing commercial space sector with expertise in satellite technology (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, navigational, and scientific/testing/research; satellites are launched by foreign partners, but Brazil has a long-standing sounding (research) rocket and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and rocket launch facilities; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Canada, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US; has a state-controlled communications company that operates Brazil’s communications satellites and a growing commercial space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/ci.json b/south-america/ci.json index a6534680..a90afb8c 100644 --- a/south-america/ci.json +++ b/south-america/ci.json @@ -1215,8 +1215,7 @@ "text": "the Chilean Space Agency was established in 2001 and dissolved in 2014, at which time the space program became part of the Ministry of Defense; the Ministry of Science also participates in Chile’s space program (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program focused on the acquisition and operation of satellites; building small remote sensing satellites; developing additional capabilities and technologies for the production of satellites and satellite sub-systems; is a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics; has several astronomy institutes, and the Atacama Desert is home to more than a dozen astronomical observatories, including the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the Las Campanas Observatory, and the European Southern Observatory; has established relations with space agencies and industries of Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Mexico, Russia, the UK, and the US (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses on acquiring and operating satellites; is building small remote sensing satellites; developing additional capabilities and technologies for producing satellites and satellite sub-systems; is a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics; has several astronomy institutes, and the Atacama Desert is home to more than a dozen astronomical observatories, including the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the Las Campanas Observatory, and the European Southern Observatory; works with space agencies and industries in Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Mexico, Russia, the UK, and the US (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/co.json b/south-america/co.json index c0488bfa..c8bd5422 100644 --- a/south-america/co.json +++ b/south-america/co.json @@ -1244,8 +1244,7 @@ "note": "note 1: the Colombian military has an Air and Space Operations Command

note 2: the Colombian Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Del Colombia, AEC) is a private, non-profit agency established in 2017" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small program focused on acquiring satellites, particularly remote sensing (RS) satellites; operates satellites and produces nanosatellites; researches other space technologies, including astronautics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies or commercial space industries, including those of Denmark, India, Russia, Sweden, the US, and some members of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small program focused on acquiring satellites, particularly remote sensing (RS) satellites; operates satellites and produces nanosatellites; researches other space technologies, including astronautics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications; works with a variety of foreign space agencies or commercial space industries, including those of Denmark, India, Russia, Sweden, the US, and some members of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/ec.json b/south-america/ec.json index 48c48000..f29ce5fc 100644 --- a/south-america/ec.json +++ b/south-america/ec.json @@ -1187,8 +1187,7 @@ "text": "Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA; a civilian independent research and development institution in charge of the administration and execution of Ecuador’s space program, established 2007) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small program focused on acquiring or manufacturing satellites; builds scientific satellites; conducts research and develops some space-related technologies; has relationships with China and Russia's space agencies and industries, as well as the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) and its member states (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small program focused on acquiring and manufacturing satellites; builds scientific satellites; conducts research and develops some space-related technologies; has relationships with China and Russia's space agencies and industries, as well as the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and its member states (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/pa.json b/south-america/pa.json index 0fdb037e..3fd766fd 100644 --- a/south-america/pa.json +++ b/south-america/pa.json @@ -1177,8 +1177,7 @@ "text": "Space Agency of Paraguay (Agencia Especial del Paraguay, AEP; established 2014) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small, recently established space program focused on the acquisition of satellites, satellite data, and the technologies and capabilities to manufacture satellites, as well as promoting in-country expertise building and space industry; a priority is acquiring remote sensing capabilities to support socio-economic develop, including resource mapping, weather, and crop monitoring; has built a cube satellite with foreign assistance; operates satellites; cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including those of India, Japan, Taiwan, the US, and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small, recently established space program focused on the acquisition of satellites, satellite data, and the technologies and capabilities to manufacture satellites, as well as promoting domestic expertise and industry; a priority is acquiring remote sensing capabilities to support socio-economic development, including resource mapping, weather, and crop monitoring; has built a cube satellite with foreign assistance; operates satellites; cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including those of India, Japan, Taiwan, the US, and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/pe.json b/south-america/pe.json index e53424fd..acb25bc7 100644 --- a/south-america/pe.json +++ b/south-america/pe.json @@ -1223,8 +1223,7 @@ "text": "in 2024, Peru and the US signed an agreement to construct a spaceport in the Talara Desert in the Piura region" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program focused on acquiring satellites, applying space applications such as data satellite imagery, and building small rockets; has built a small science/technology satellite; operates satellites and processes satellite imagery data; builds and launches sounding rockets with ultimate goal of developing a satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV); researching, developing, and acquiring technologies for manufacturing satellites and satellite payloads, including remote sensing (RS) capabilities; member of Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) since its formation in 2021; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, China, the European Space Agency and individual member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and the US, as well as other signatories of the ALCE (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "focuses on acquiring satellites, applying space applications such as data satellite imagery, and building small rockets; has built a small science/technology satellite; operates satellites and processes satellite imagery data; builds and launches sounding rockets with goal of developing a satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV); researching, developing, and acquiring technologies for manufacturing satellites and satellite payloads, including remote sensing (RS) capabilities; member of Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) since its formation in 2021; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, China, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France and Germany), India, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and the US, as well as other ALCE signatories (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-america/ve.json b/south-america/ve.json index a1fb0eb5..02cb4932 100644 --- a/south-america/ve.json +++ b/south-america/ve.json @@ -1030,8 +1030,7 @@ "note": "note: the ABAE is under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation; it was originally known as the Venezuelan Space Center (CEV; created 2005)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a small national program primarily focused on the acquisition of satellites and stimulating the country’s science and technological capabilities; operates satellites and maintains two satellite ground control stations; participates in multinational space organizations, such as the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; closest bilateral partners are China and Russia; also has bilateral framework agreements for space cooperation with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, the US, and Uruguay (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a small national program primarily focused on acquiring satellites and expanding the country’s science and technological capabilities; operates satellites and maintains two satellite ground control stations; participates in multinational space organizations such as the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; closest bilateral partners are China and Russia; also has bilateral framework agreements for space cooperation with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-asia/bg.json b/south-asia/bg.json index 56a002e4..38fbb30c 100644 --- a/south-asia/bg.json +++ b/south-asia/bg.json @@ -1181,8 +1181,7 @@ "text": "Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO; established as a statutory body in 1991 and designated as the country's national focal point for space-related activities in 1995) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a modest space program focused on designing, building, and operating satellites, particularly those with remote sensing (RS) capabilities; SPARSSO's mandate is to use space and RS technology in such areas as agriculture, education, environmental studies, fisheries, forestry, geology, land use, mapping, meteorology, oceanography, and water resources; has a government-owned company for acquiring and operating satellites (Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited or BSCL, established in 2017); has relations with several foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of France, Japan, Russia, and the US; member of several international space organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has a modest space program focused on designing, building, and operating satellites, particularly those with remote sensing (RS) capabilities; SPARSSO's mandate is to use space and RS technology in areas such as agriculture, education, environmental studies, fisheries, forestry, geology, land use, mapping, meteorology, and oceanography; has a government-owned company for acquiring and operating satellites (Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, established in 2017); works with several foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of France, Japan, Russia, and the US; member of several international space organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-asia/bt.json b/south-asia/bt.json index 63caa4ac..30b909fd 100644 --- a/south-asia/bt.json +++ b/south-asia/bt.json @@ -566,6 +566,9 @@ "most recent election date": { "text": "4/20/2023" }, + "parties elected and seats per party": { + "text": "N/A; note - the National Council is not party-based" + }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "12%" }, diff --git a/south-asia/in.json b/south-asia/in.json index 3f42d172..1d5ca7b4 100644 --- a/south-asia/in.json +++ b/south-asia/in.json @@ -623,10 +623,10 @@ "text": "4/19/2024 to 6/1/2024" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { - "text": "Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (240); Indian National Congress (INC) (99); Samajwadi Party (SP) (37); All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) (29); Other (138)" + "text": "Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (240); Indian National Congress (INC) (99); Samajwadi Party (SP) (37); All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) (29); Independents (7); Other (131)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { - "text": "13.8%" + "text": "13.7%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "April 2029" @@ -1280,8 +1280,7 @@ "text": "Satish Dhawan Space Center (aka Sriharikota Range; located in Andhra Pradesh); Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (Kerala) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has one of the world’s largest space programs; designs, builds, launches, operates, and tracks the full spectrum of satellites, including communications, navigation, remote sensing (RS), and scientific/technology; designs, builds, and launches rockets, space/satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), and lunar/interplanetary probes; launches satellites for foreign partners; developing astronaut corps and human flight capabilities (with assistance from Russia, US); researching and developing additional space-related technologies and capabilities; has space-related agreements with more than 50 countries, including China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the US, as well as the European Space Agency; participates in international space projects such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope; the Department of Space administers two government-controlled space industry corporations; India also has a growing private space sector (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "has one of the world’s largest space programs; designs, builds, launches, operates, and tracks the full spectrum of satellites, including communications, navigation, remote sensing (RS), and scientific/technology; designs, builds, and launches rockets, space/satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), and lunar/interplanetary probes; launches satellites for foreign partners; researching and developing additional technologies and capabilities; developing astronaut program and human flight capabilities (with assistance from Russia and the US); has space-related agreements with the ESA and more than 50 countries, including China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the US; participates in international projects such as the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope; the Department of Space administers two government-controlled space industry corporations; has a growing private space sector (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/south-asia/np.json b/south-asia/np.json index 135ac8cd..06499c39 100644 --- a/south-asia/np.json +++ b/south-asia/np.json @@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador Lok Darshan REGMI (since 11 June 2025)" + "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sharad Raj ARAN (since November 2025)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007" diff --git a/south-asia/pk.json b/south-asia/pk.json index 78d64fdd..f72d3bdc 100644 --- a/south-asia/pk.json +++ b/south-asia/pk.json @@ -1272,8 +1272,7 @@ "text": "none; missile test sites at Somiani (Balochistan) and Tilla Jogian (Punjab) (2025)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "space program dates back to the early 1960s but funding shortfalls and shifts in priority toward ballistic missile development in the 1980s and 1990s hampered the program’s development; more recently, the program has received greater attention with a focus on acquiring satellites and reaching agreements with other space powers for additional capabilities; manufactures and operates satellites; researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as satellite payloads; also conducts research in such areas as astronomy, astrophysics, environmental monitoring, and space sciences; has relations or cooperation agreements on space with China, Russia, and Turkey (cooperated with the UK and US prior to the 1990s) (2025)", - "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" + "text": "space program dates back to the early 1960s, but funding shortfalls and shifts in priority toward ballistic missile development in the 1980s and 1990s hampered the program’s development; now has a strengthened focus on acquiring satellites and reaching agreements with other space powers for additional capabilities; manufactures and operates satellites; researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as satellite payloads; also conducts research in areas such as astronomy, astrophysics, environmental monitoring, and space sciences; works with China, Russia, and Turkey (cooperated with the UK and US prior to the 1990s) (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": {