Paraguay is set to strengthen its technological capabilities through a new satellite technology centre backed by Japanese cooperation. The initiative aims to position the country as a regional reference in the use of satellite data. The project includes advanced laboratories, specialised equipment, and technical training programmes. Authorities say it will support areas such as disaster management, agriculture, and territorial planning.
New satellite technology centre
The Government of Paraguay has signed an agreement with Japan to launch the “Project for the Development of Facilities Related to Satellite Technology.” The initiative was formalised during a ceremony at the Government Palace in Asunción in March 2026.
The cooperation includes a non-refundable grant of US$24 million. The funds will finance the construction of a Centre for the Use of Space Technologies and the purchase of specialised equipment. The building will be constructed on the campus of the National University of Asunción. The four-storey complex will house the Spaceslab and Geolab laboratories operated by the Paraguayan Space Agency. The facility will also include ground stations to receive and process satellite data.
Officials say these systems will generate Earth observation databases useful for public policy and research. The centre will feature equipment such as nanosatellite testing systems, thermo-vacuum chambers, and anechoic chambers. It will also include S-band and X-band antennas designed for space research and satellite communication. The initiative also builds on Paraguay’s growing space programme. In 2025, Paraguay’s GuaraníSat-2 satellite successfully passed critical environmental tests at Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology, marking a key milestone for Paraguay’s first fully homegrown satellite.
Strategic cooperation and future innovation
According to Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, the agreement reflects growing strategic cooperation between Paraguay and Japan. He described the project as a concrete result of diplomatic efforts during his recent visit to the Asian country.
Over the past year, 14 Japanese consultants from specialised companies collaborated with Paraguayan engineers. Together, they designed a facility adapted to Paraguay’s technological needs and development goals. Peña also said the centre will provide opportunities for young scientists and engineers. It will allow them to contribute to global technological innovation while working from Paraguay.
Meanwhile, Osvaldo Almirón, head of the Paraguayan Space Agency, noted that the agency will be the direct beneficiary of the investment. However, he expects the benefits to extend rapidly to other ministries, private sector initiatives, and academic institutions. Authorities believe the new centre could turn Paraguay into a regional reference in satellite data use. It may also support the design, development, and operation of small satellites across Latin America.
