DILI, 26 November 2025 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, has officially launched Mission Timor-Leste in Space, First Timor-Leste’s Orbital Satellite, designed and built in Timor-Leste by Timorese engineers, marks a historic step into space for the nation.
President Ramos-Horta served as the Patron, launched the project at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace. The initiative is led by the local social enterprise and technology startup Similie, in partnership with SpaceBase Co.—an organization founded by former NASA scientists dedicated to democratizing access to space—and Capricornio International, headed by Australian-Argentine business entrepreneur and STEM advocate Dario Bongiovanni. This partnership is aligned with the President’s vision of using advanced technology to tackle national challenges.
Supported by the Presidency of the Republic and international space organizations, including SpaceBase Co., GSEn, and UNISEC Japan, the mission aims to demonstrate how local innovation combined with global cooperation can empower small nations to access space-based solutions.
“This project symbolizes Timor-Leste’s potential to lead in technological innovation, while inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists. It’s not just about going to space — it’s about bringing space back to the people of Timor-Leste,” said Mrs. Ana Paula da Costa, CEO of Similie.
Once operational, the satellite will provide critical real-time Earth observation data and telemetry.
President Ramos-Horta considers the satellite is an essential tool for the future of Timor-Leste, offering vital data for natural disaster preparedness, climate change monitoring, and increasing agricultural productivity.
“This project is more than a satellite. It is a message to our youth to study science and technology, to dream big, and to develop skills that will serve themselves and the nation. Our children deserve the opportunity to look at the sky and know they can reach it,” said President Ramos-Horta.
Mission Timor-Leste in Space will also serve as a national education platform, inspiring students across the country to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In collaboration with UNISEC Japan, Similie will deliver specialized training and plans to establish an Aerospace Technology Academy in Dili, creating new career pathways for the Timorese people.
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