AEM to Host First National Space Activities Congress

Next week, the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) will host the first National Space Activities Congress (CONACES), an online event that will highlight research projects made by Mexican space scientists to promote the country’s capabilities in this field.

The space agency is ramping up its efforts to position Mexico’s capabilities in space research and technology through events that aim at strengthening links between those participating in the sector and those interested in it. Considering the challenges and risks brought by the COVID-19 outbreak, the agency decided to fully host this event online, which will also allow it to reach a larger public. While the event is open to the general public, it will also host major players in the sector such as the first Mexican astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela. It will also host representatives of Mexico’s aerospace industry, such as FEMIA, academia and telecommunication companies.

CONACES aims to generate interest and dialogue in the use of space technology to address problems in the areas of social sciences, earth observation, communication, education, healthcare sciences, astrobiology, astrophysics, Earth sciences, nanosatellites and materials and space vehicles. “CONACES will be the first event of its kind. It will strengthen communication and cooperation among national leaders in the space sector to channel science and technology efforts toward priority tasks for the benefit of society,” said Salvador Landeros Ayala, Director General of AEM.

During the event, the sixth Space Medicine Mexican Congress will also take place to address the use of telecommunication technology to increase access to healthcare services and the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 outbreak. Earlier this year, AEM urged Mexican companies and institutions to submit proposals that use space and satellite technologies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, alleviate the economic effects of the outbreak and support Mexico’s population.

The event is just the latest of AEM’s efforts to promote the sector, to develop state-of-the-art technology that accelerates the country’s technological capabilities and to support the general population. The agency has been working with space agencies from China, France, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia and the US, among other countries, to develop tools that use state-of-the-art technology to fight the outbreak. It is also working actively with local universities to promote the development of Mexican satellites to test new technology, intersatellite communications and land observation.

CONACES is open to scientists, academics, business leaders and anyone interested in the sector from Oct. 7 to 9.