Mexico, Russia Sign Space Cooperation Agreement

During the Russian delegation’s visit to Mexico, authorities from both nations signed a space cooperation agreement for the advancement of science, outer space exploration and other “peaceful purposes” reported the Secretary of Communications and Transport (SCT).

"[B]y virtue of the instruction of the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, an agreement was signed between the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of the Russian Federation, [related to] the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes” read the statement.

Sergey Valentinovich Saveliev, Deputy General Director of the Russian State Space Corporation (Roscosmos), and Salvador Landeros Ayala, Director of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) were charged with signing the agreement.

“Russia’s pioneering activities in space have been an inspiration for the whole world, especially for Mexico, and we remember, for example, the incredible journey of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space in 1961, who after that achievement made a visit to our country. A year later, the National Commission for Outer Space was created here, the precursor of the current Mexican Space Agency, so we have a long history of good relations,” Landeros said.

Outlined is an expressed interest from both nations “to establish and develop [an] equitable and mutually beneficial" relationship necessary for the collaboration and advancement of the various fields of interest including: astrophysical research and planetary studies, remote sensing, satellite communications and other associated information and navigation technologies.

Long-term subjects of interest involve manned space travel, shared spacecraft launch services, the study of special meteorology, space biology and medicine and the mitigation and reduction of space debris. In order to ensure the continued success of this space program both parties have agreed to foster and nurture talented youth with a specific emphasis on the application of science technologies and other STEM majors.

Mexico, which promoted the formation of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) in July, formalized a new transformative chapter for the country with this agreement.