Mongolia and SpaceX are in discussions to launch the country’s first satellite

In an effort to increase connectivity and grow its «domestic space economy,» the Mongolian government said on Thursday that it is in talks to launch the nation’s first telecom satellite with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

According to a statement from the government, the satellite, which is presently being built by the French company Thales Alenia Space, will help Mongolia with disaster preparedness and emergency response, broadband internet access, and scientific research and education, among other things.

According to Uchral Nyam-Osor, Mongolia’s Minister of Digital Development and Communications, «launching our own satellite marks a defining moment for Mongolia’s journey towards becoming a spacefaring nation,» the announcement read.

The negotiations started after Mongolia last year awarded SpaceX two licenses to use low-orbit satellites for internet service provider operations. Starlink would allow millions of internet customers in the nation to access high-speed connections.

With over 3,500 satellites in low-Earth orbit, SpaceX’s satellite communications service has quickly expanded to give access to far-flung locations.

Abundant in resources Copper and rare earth minerals, which are essential components of the supply chain for electric vehicles, are abundant in Mongolia.