NASA Successfully Tests Mexican Space Module

The Mexican Experimental Space Module E.M.I. Design for Satellite Subsystems versión-4 (EMIDSS-4), designed by the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), has achieved success in NASA's "FY23-FTS" mission.

This accomplishment was officially confirmed by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) through the Mexican Space Agency (AEM). The announcement took place during the inaugural session of the First Mexican Aerospace Forum held at Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). Key participants in the event included NASA scientists Aaron Paz and Ryan Ziegler.

Salvador Landeros Ayala, Director General, AEM, underscored the mission's significance, stating: "The performance of these instruments aligns with the high standards set by NASA’s own developments." Landeros also noted that this achievement bolsters Mexico's standing within the aerospace industry.

The IPN, after rigorous evaluation, received an invitation from NASA to launch the EMIDSS-4 module from the NASA-Fort Sumner base in New Mexico, US.  "This opens up new opportunities for collaboration with AEM and other academic institutions," says Mario Alberto Mendoza Bárcenas, leader of the project.

The positive outcomes will bolster the instrumentation design for the "TEPEU-1" space mission, which plans to study Earth's ionosphere in its orbital model. This mission will support projects like "ITESAT-1," currently in the design phase at Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara (ITESO) and the development of a "CubeSat" satellite model with solar panels, manufactured using 3D printing technology.

This achievement paves the way for the development of two custom-designed computers for aerospace vehicles, using commercial-grade microcontrollers as their foundation. "These computers can be used in scientific exploration satellites and technological demonstration missions," says Mendoza.

The successful testing of the EMIDSS-4 module stands as a milestone in Mexican space exploration, representing a significant leap in the country's contributions to the aerospace industry.