Nay Pyi Taw November 30
Acting President of the Re-public of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inaugurated the Space Museum (Yangon) at the People’s Square in Yangon this morning.
Also present at the ceremony were Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, Union ministers, the Yangon Region Chief Minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Yangon Command, ambassadors and Charge’s d’Affaires ad interim from the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, India and Belarus, the Yangon mayor, guests and students.
On arrival at the venue where the ceremony will take place, the Senior General was welcomed by diplomats, officials and students.
At the ceremony, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Chief Executive Officer of Myanmar Space Agency Dr Soe Myint Maung and Yangon Mayor U Bo Htay cut the ribbon to open the Space Museum (Yangon).
The Senior General and attendees unveiled the signboard of the planetarium and sprinkled scented water on the plaque.
The Senior General observed the GOTO Planetarium Analog Projection System used in the previous planetarium.
The Senior General and attendees had documentary photos taken in front of the museum.
The Senior General and party visited the Deep Space Exploration booth, the Space Station booth, scale models of satellites and spacecrafts launched by the Russian Federation, India and the United States into the space in successive eras, running of the scale model satellites in the orbit, launching of the satellites from the space station and demonstrations at the museum. Officials conducted the Senior General and party round the museum.
In his speech, the Senior General said: With the successful opening of the Space Museum (Yangon) today, students and young people in the country now have the opportunity to explore, in an organized manner within the museum, topics related to space knowledge they have read about in books or seen on television. This includes rockets launched into space, satellites orbiting in space, spacecraft and astronauts exploring space, planets, constellations, and other space-related subjects.
The space museum was established with the aim of inspiring the next generation of young people in our country to develop an interest in space and science. It is intended to go beyond the lessons they learn in classrooms and serve as a place where new dreams related to space and scientific exploration can be born. In addition, as space science and its practical applications are be-coming increasingly important in building a modern, developed nation, the museum also aims to ensure that space technologies in our country continue to advance in line with the times.
Due to the ideas and inspiration gained from the space museum regarding space technology, it is believed that future astronauts, scientists, engineers, and specialists in various fields who can contribute to Myanmar’s modern development will also emerge.
This involves the upgrading and renovation of the planetarium, which was jointly established by the governments of Myanmar and Japan in 1987, into a space museum. The previously used equipment, such as the Analog Projection System, has been replaced with modern equipment, including Digital Projection Systems. Additionally, interesting exhibition areas related to space and astronomy, space stations, and other space technology displays have been added and showcased.
As a nation, Myanmar has established the Myanmar Space Agency with the responsibility of applying space technology for peaceful purposes in the socio-economic development sectors. It has begun implementing short- and long-term projects in collaboration with international partner organizations. Opportunities will also be provided for young scientists of Myanmar to participate in such space technology initiatives together with partner organizations. For example, in September, as a concrete step, six young participants from Myanmar were sent to compete in the Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO-25) held in Sirius, Russian Federation, and five young participants were sent to the International Olympiad on Climate Change and Environmental Issues (IOCE-2025), totalling 11 youths. They were able to compete appropriately according to the respective competitions and achieved success, winning awards and prizes for their accomplishments.
In today’s era of technology, space and satellite technologies are rapidly advancing, and we can observe that countries are collaborating competitively in space research activities that can benefit humanity. The out-comes of such research space science, applied technologies, and satellite technologies are being effectively utilized across various national sectors, including defense, security, economy, transportation and communications, social services, healthcare, and education. Therefore, to enable the nation to keep pace internationally in these crucial fields of space science and technology, and to develop and apply them efficiently, it is essential to nurture, train, and educate the younger generation.
Today, with the successful opening of the large space museum, the younger generation will be able to participate and compete in the challenges and new opportunities of the modern space sector, nurturing their ideas and turning them into reality. It is also believed that, in the future, experts whom the nation can take pride in research scientists, engineers, astronauts, specialists across various fields, and human re-sources will emerge in the diverse areas of space utilization.
The Yangon Region Chief Minister presented commemorative gifts to the Senior General as well as diplomats.
The Senior General and attendees watched a dome video clip on the space and planetarium.
After the ceremony, the Senior General and diplomats signed the guest book of the museum.
The Space Museum (Yangon) is located at the People’s Park in Yangon. The former planetarium was upgraded and renovated to meet modern standards and reopened as the Space Museum (Yangon). Inside the museum, visitors can explore the Deep Space Exploration exhibit, the Space Station exhibit, and displays on rockets launched into space, orbiting satellites, space-craft and astronauts exploring space, planets, constellations, and other space-related topics.
