South American Space Era

Paper number

IAC-15,E4,2,7,x29718

Author

Dr. Bruno Sarli, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Marco Antonio Cabero Zabalaga, China

Coauthor

Mr. Alejandro Lopez Telgie, Chile

Coauthor

Mr. Josué Cardoso dos Santos, São Paulo State University - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil

Coauthor

Mr. Brehme de Mesquita, National Institute for Space Research - INPE, Brazil

Coauthor

Mr. Diego Jimenez, Colombia

Coauthor

Dr. Avid Roman-Gonzalez, Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades - UCH, Peru

Coauthor

Ms. Natalia Vargas Cuentas, Bolivia

Coauthor

Mr. Federico Perazzo, Argentina

Year

2015

Abstract

Since the late 1950s, space has become another dramatic arena for countries to prove their technological superiority, military firepower and–by extension–its political-economic system. From 1967, in South America, Brazil started the first space activities in the region with the launch of "Sonda I". Since then South American countries have been developing space capacity individually in order to provide basic space-based services and a small autonomy in this area.

As the countries in the region develop their activities, the most significant steps have been initiated by Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia among others. Brazil currently has a well established institute of space research, one astronaut sent to the ISS and ongoing efforts to develop its own launch capability. Argentina, on the other hand, is currently working in the construction of Tronador II, a light payload satellite injector, based on previous models Tronador Ia and Ib successfully launched from Puerto Belgrano naval base. In Peru, the national Aerospace Research and development commission (CONIDA) launched the first space Peruvian Probe, Paulet, from Punta Lobos air force base in Pucusana in 2006. Bolivia is also making its mark in the sector; with its first telecommunication satellite in 2013 and recent efforts to develop a remote sensing satellite.

The space programs in South America, not only address a technological gap, but also offer a chance to inspire people and bring to their attention the potential and benefits of the space sector. This paper provides a historical review of the evolution of the space activities in South America and its relation with historical and political aspects, as well as important steps need to taken to further develop the space sector in the region. This paper addresses directly the outcomes of the defense ministers meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), in November 2011, where the representatives collectively deemed to prioritize the creation of a South American Space Agency and its collaboration through UNASUR.

Abstract document

IAC-15,E4,2,7,x29718.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,E4,2,7,x29718.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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