Latest news with #NationalSpaceCenter
UPI
07-08-2025
- Science
- UPI
Chile builds first space center for satellite manufacturing
The Republic of Chile on October 25 became is the 47th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's Artemis program. Photo by Keegan Barber/NASA Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Chile is nearing completion of one of the most ambitious scientific projects in its history: the first National Space Center, or CEN, which is 85% complete. The pioneering facility, expected to begin operations in December, will mark the country's entry into satellite manufacturing and the independent development of space technology. The initiative is part of Chile's National Satellite System and aims to strengthen the country's scientific and technological sovereignty. The project is led by the Chilean Air Force in coordination with the ministries of Defense and Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. During a recent visit to the construction site, Defense Minister Adriana Delpiano and Science Minister Aldo Valle emphasized the strategic importance of the CEN and its role in advancing research, national defense and innovation. The CEN will span more than 62,000 square feet across four main areas. Among them is a 6,450-square-foot clean room for satellite manufacturing under strict environmental controls. There, engineers plan to assemble seven 50-pound microsatellites and one Earth observation satellite that weighs about 440 pounds, all developed by Chilean professionals. The center also will include a data science lab with high-performance computing and artificial intelligence capabilities, mission control center for autonomous satellite operations and innovation lab to support technology projects with startups and universities. It will also have an 8,600-square-foot satellite integration room capable of handling up to eight devices at once. About 120 people are expected to work at the center, with 30% coming from academic institutions, according to CEN Director Col. Héctor Contreras. "It will be a center open to universities and research institutions, with capabilities essential to national development," Valle said. The center will mark a milestone in inclusive technology with the introduction of STELARBOT, a robot developed by the University of Santiago in collaboration with the Teletón Institute and the Chilean Air Force. The remotely operated robot will be controlled by people with disabilities using an interface powered by cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence. "STELARBOT will allow people with disabilities to interact directly with the center and its visitors, guiding tours and explaining ongoing technological developments," said Lorena Delgado, director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lab at the University of Santiago. She said the CEN "will be a major hub for innovation in the region" and praised its openness to civil society and the education sector. The project is part of a broader national vision to create a network of space centers across the country. Delpiano said plans are underway to establish a satellite center in northern Chile focused on communications for remote areas, along with another in Punta Arenas, in the country's far south, specializing in radar satellites capable of operating in adverse weather conditions. With these centers, Chile is positioning itself as an emerging player in Latin America's space industry. "We are at a crucial turning point in the modernization of the state and in connecting science, defense and the economy," Valle said. The inauguration of the CEN in December will not only mark a technological milestone, officials said, but also open a new chapter for research, innovation and talent development, with applications in mining, agriculture, environmental monitoring and national defense.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's space chief Borisov dismissed amid program failures
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Yury Borisov as CEO of the state space corporation Roscosmos, the Kremlin's official website announced on Feb. 6. Borisov's removal allegedly stems from uncertainty over the costs and implementation of the National Space Center project in Moscow, according to Russian media outlet RBC. Borisov was appointed as Roscosmos chief in July 2022, succeeding Dmitry Rogozin. His tenure saw a decline in launches, with 19 in 2023 — three fewer than in 2022. Launches fell by 25% from pre-war 2021 and nearly halved compared to the early 2000s. Before leading Roscosmos, Borisov played a key role in Russia's military-industrial sector, overseeing the state rearmament program since 2011. As deputy chairman of the Military Industrial Commission, then-deputy defense minister, and later deputy prime minister, he was responsible for funneling 2 trillion rubles ($20.5 billion) annually into the defense industry. Under his leadership, Russia had pledged to produce divisions of new Armata tanks, a next-generation strategic bomber, 600 aircraft, and thousands of helicopters by 2020, while increasing the share of modern weapons in the military to 70%. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exposed shortcomings in Russia's defense industry, with its forces relying heavily on aging Soviet-era equipment. Borisov also admitted that Roscosmos had failed to meet its 2023 state launch plan, adding to concerns over Russia's declining space capabilities amid economic strain and Western sanctions. Read also: Ukraine launches new offensive in Kursk Oblast, Russian media claims, Kyiv yet to confirm We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
