Mexican Space Agency to Build Innovation Center

The Mexican Space Agency (AEM) celebrated its 10th anniversary by announcing its commitment to the country’s most disadvantaged and the first Mexican Space Innovation and Development Center.

Created with the goal of using science and technology to address the needs of the Mexican population, AEM has been a catalyzer for innovation and a strong supporter of research initiatives that support the country’s technological progress. The agency aims to generate added value employment, contribute to Mexico’s competitiveness and support the development of the country’s space sector.

On the celebration of its 10th year anniversary, AEM reiterated its commitment to Mexico’s technological development through the Mexican Space Innovation and Development Center to be located in Atlacomulco, State of Mexico. Salvador Landeros Ayala, Director General of AEM, also highlighted the agency’s development of a consolidated platform for research projects regarding satellite telecommunication, observation of natural phenomena and other scientific and technological projects.

Throughout its 10 years of history, the agency has supported numerous R&D projects including the successful launch of AzTechSat-1, the Mexican satellite fully developed by Mexican students from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), which was launched in December 2019 aboard a SpaceX rocket to test satellite-to-satellite communications. AzTechSat-1 is a type of miniature satellite called CubeSat, which is often used for a wide range of space research projects ranging from biology in microgravity conditions to space technology tests. AEM is now working with NASA to launch the next generation of AzTechSat nanosatellites scheduled for 2023.

The agency has also been involved in the fight against COVID-19 and earlier this year, it urged Mexican institutions and companies to submit proposals that use space and satellite technologies to reduce or monitor the spread of the virus, alleviate the economic effects of the outbreak and support the local population. Landeros also explained that the agency is also working with the space agencies of China, France, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia and the US to develop tools to fight the outbreak.