AEM to Launch Microrobots, Ally with Universities

The Mexican Space Agency (AEM) announced a plan to launch microrobots into the lunar surface this year. The agency also continued its efforts to build alliances with regional higher education institutions. Meanwhile, airport retailers are facing a crisis, air cargo demand is growing and Bell Flight is looking to supply the expanding demand for unmanned flight tech.

This week in Aerospace:

Airport Retailers Face Business Disruption

The pandemic is affecting all businesses in the aviation industry, and airport’s retail, currency exchange shops and restaurants are no exception. Consultancy firm Bain & Company’s Airport Retail Report shows that along with a transformation in clientele to younger generations, who are not as inclined to shop at airports, digital technologies are expected to replace retail stores across airports.

Mexican Robotics to Reach Lunar Surface in 2022

AEM and UNAM announced a project to launch microrobots to the lunar surface this year. The original launch date was scheduled for the summer of 2021 but the pandemic delayed the mission. The microrobots will act as independent measurement centers and will send data home for engineering analysis.

Air Cargo Demand Grows in 2021

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported strong numbers and an increase in demand of almost 19 percent in the global air cargo sector throughout 2021. North America in particular saw a growth of 20.2 percent due to a rise in global goods trade, low inventory-to-sales ratios, a favorable cost-competitiveness of air cargo and a strong demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) shipments caused by the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. However, the Latin American demand for air cargo shrank by 15.2 percent when compared to 2019 and capacity decreased by 30.2 percent.

Regional Talent: Key for Mexican Space Development

AEM announced its alliance-seeking plan to build up talent from any local higher learning institution. Three recent alliances include a recently signed collaboration with the Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de San Felipe del Progreso, a decentralized agency developed by the State of Mexico's Ministry of Education and Universidad de Ixtlahuaca CUI (UICUI). The alliances are already resulting in advances for the Mexican industry, including a nanotechnology development program that aims to provide the moon with oxygen and energy.

Unmanned Flight Tech Slowly Taking Off

In an interview with MBN, Bell Flight Mexico General Manager Adolfo Viramontes spoke of the rising demand for unmanned flight technologies and what the company is doing to deliver the products necessary for these industry advancements. Efforts include a conceptual air taxi and vertical elevation technologies such as a military helicopter for the US Army Aviation.