New Latin American Space Agency Takes Flight: Promoting Cooperation and Science in the Region

The Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) is set to officially begin its operations in September, nearly three years after the signing of its creation agreement. The agency’s work focuses on exploration, cooperation, technology use, and space science to benefit the population in the region.

Gustavo Alonso Cabrera Rodríguez, the ALCE commissioner in Mexico, presented the agency at a space cooperation forum in Wuhan, China, in April. With 33 member countries and 11 of them having ratified the agreement, the ALCE seeks to promote cooperation and diplomacy on space-related issues in the region.

The agency aims to focus on satellite development, ground station construction, professional training, and information exchange among member countries. While it does not have the infrastructure of larger space agencies like NASA or Roscosmos, it hopes to leverage international partnerships for mutual benefit. The ALCE hopes to have an annual budget of $10 million to support talent mobility and contribute to the space economy.

The ALCE’s projects largely focus on climate change and environmental preservation. Mexico, as a member country, is encouraged to create a national space system and develop proposals to strengthen its position in the space industry. The founding of the ALCE marks a unique opportunity for Latin American and Caribbean countries to collaborate and advance in the field of space exploration.