Latin America’s Role in the New Space Race
Latin America is embedded in the new space race, not as a direct competitor to establish bases on other planets, but with an important role to play. The region harbors a diversity of levels of space development among its countries, and although regional cooperation exists, it is limited. The space sector in Latin America has great potential, especially with the growth of NewSpace, which encompasses private companies operating in space with a focus on profitability. Countries like Brazil, with the Alcântara Space Center, strategically located near the Equator, offer logistical advantages for space launches. Moreover, initiatives like the Colmena project, which aims to explore lunar mineral resources with small robots, demonstrate the region’s capacity to contribute to space exploration.
The new space race is not limited to competition between major powers for prestige and scientific advancement, but also involves the exploration of resources in asteroids, the Moon, and Mars. Cooperation between Latin American countries is limited, and space exploration is not yet a priority for the region. However, NewSpace has brought new opportunities, with private companies seeking profitability in space activities. Researcher César Bertucci, from the Institute of Astronomy and Space Physics, highlights that Latin America is not inserted in the competition between states, but presents great potential to contribute to space exploration. The Colmena 1 mission, launched in 2024, is an example of how the region can validate its technologies and contribute to space exploration.
The region offers important logistical advantages, such as the location of the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil, which is one of the best in the world for space launches. The Dominican Republic also plans to start commercial launches from 2028, with the company Launch On Demand. The skies of the southern continent, especially Chile and Argentina, are ideal for deep space observation. Astrophysicist Lauren Flor Torres highlights that the region is not limited to “lending the sky” or territory, but also contributes with technology and expertise.
The future of space exploration in Latin America includes plans like the Colmena 2 mission, scheduled for 2028, which aims to prospect for lunar mineral resources with small robots. The goal is to perform mining operations with swarms of micro-robots and small rovers, working cooperatively. The region will continue to play an important role in space exploration, with its logistical and technological advantages.
