Former Astronaut Heidimarie Stefanyshyn Piper stated that the Maldives could launch a successful space program. 

In an exclusive interview with Maldives Voice, Heidimarie stated that the Maldives could launch a spaces program. 

She further stated that it is something that the country could follow through and the country could launch a small satellite at first. 

She also elaborated that if the first launch is successful more tests are done and it could hopefully lead to a Maldivian being seen in outer space. 

Heidimarie also encouraged a lot of young explorers to study hard and work to achieve their dream to go explore outer space.

Former Astronaut Heidimarie Stefanyshyn Piper is visiting the Maldives at the invitation of the "American Center in the Maldives".

Since she arrived in the Maldives Heidimarine has been hosting talks, attending several key meetings and encouraging young minds to learn about space. 

This is the seventh event the American Center has hosted this year. 

Furthermore, the Maldives has also recently announced plans to launch a space program named "Azum". 

Institute for Global Success (IGS) launched the first-ever space programme in the Maldives in November 2020, in partnership with the KSF Space Foundation of the United Kingdom (UK).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) declaring HDC as the main partner of the project was signed in February this year.

The satellite is scheduled to be launched from Hulhumale' and the satellite data will then be collected and run entirely by a team of local youth.