Latin American Space Agencies Sign MOUs with Voyager Space, Nanoracks
Five Latin American space agencies have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Voyager Space and its operating company Nanoracks with the intent of opening up access to space and furthering commercial space opportunities within the respective countries. The announcement was made at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris.
"We look forward to working closely with the space agencies in Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and potentially more countries in the region to support their current space initiatives and work together to make future commercial space platforms accessible."
Jeffrey Manber, President of International and Space Stations at Voyager.
The five Latin American Space Agencies include the Colombian Space Agency, El Salvador Aerospace Institute, the Mexican Space Agency, the Guatemalan Association of Space Sciences and Engineering, and the Costa Rican startup Orbital Space Technologies. Nanoracks and Voyager signed an individual MoU with each agency.
"This is a momentous occasion, not only for our teams at Voyager and Nanoracks but also for the growing space economies of each and every one of these countries," said Jeffrey Manber, President of International and Space Stations at Voyager. "We look forward to working closely with the space agencies in Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and potentially more countries in the region to support their current space initiatives and work together to make future commercial space platforms accessible.
"This is a major initiative to help ensure that as we move towards commercial space stations, the doors are open for countries that are emerging space nations," says David Marsh, Vice President of Strategy at Nanoracks. "Nanoracks has been focused on making space accessible since day one, and we are proud to carry the legacy forward from the International Space Station to Starlab. We cannot wait to get to work with our friends from the Latin America region."
Details of the Memoranda with the Latin American Space Agencies
Colombian Space Agency
This agreement outlines support of projects and plans for the continued development of space activities in Colombia as well as participation in Starlab and George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) planning efforts. By working together, the companies will support near term space activities in Colombia, grow cooperation with the space, commercial, and scientific communities within the country and continue to advance the future of space technologies and capabilities for Voyager and its portfolio companies.
El Salvador Aerospace Institute (ESAI)
This agreement is to help expand space exploration activities in collaboration with businesses, institutions, non-governmental and government agencies within El Salvador, which includes the development of the STEAM framework of knowledge with social benefits for the Salvadoran economy and its citizens. This agreement also supports cooperation and collaboration with ESAI and Nanoracks for Starlab and the GWCSP.
Mexican Space Agency
This agreement will explore projects and plans for future space activities in Mexico, including satellites, lunar payloads, and youth engagement efforts while building technical expertise and expanding the economic base of Mexico. Similar to the other MoUs, this agreement will also allow the Mexican Space Agency to participate in the development of Starlab and provide input for elements of the GWCSP.
Guatemalan Association of Space Sciences and Engineering (AGICE)
This MoU is intended to support space activities in Guatemala with a specific focus on educational programs. In addition to collaborating on near-term support for the Association's objectives and programs, the AGICE will also have the opportunity to participate in Starlab and GWCSP.
Orbital Space Technologies
This agreement is with Costa Rica's first space startup and will support the development of additional capabilities and technologies within the growing space sector in Costa Rica, helping to launch new space initiatives and eventual ground station services in the region. The MoU also allows for the participation in Starlab and GWCSP.
(Source: Voyager Space news release. Image from file)