Latin America to the "conquest" of outer space

A little more than 50 years have passed since Yuri Gagarin became the first man to orbit the earth, generating, in turn, not only a historical event for humanity, but also the beginning of a space race between the United States and the United States. Soviet Union, which culminated in the arrival of Neil Armstrong on the moon, and which would last for more than 30 years.

It is an irrefutable fact that, for much of the 20th century, control of outer space was in the domain of the two main antagonists of the Cold War. However, 20 years after the fall of the "great iron curtain" and with the loss of prominence of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA, for its acronym in English), various countries have already embarked on the "conquest " from outer space.

Although there are close to fifty space agencies around the world, only ten have the technological capabilities for ultraterrestrial exploration: China, the United States, France, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. However, weeks ago a news of national relevance was released. Mexico, in cooperation with Argentina, would promote the creation of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), which would seek to position itself as a meeting point for regional cooperation in aeronautical research.

Despite there being no specific start date for the project, the declaration signed by the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Marcelo Ebrard, as well as by his Argentine namesake, Felipe Solá, represents a giant step for the region to have its own space project. .

Although there are national agencies, such as the Mexican Space Agency or the National Commission for Space Activities, in Argentina, just to mention a few, ALCE will act as a promoter for regional cooperation in research and exploitation of outer space in conjunction with all members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Despite the ambition of the project, there are a series of challenges that ALCE will have to face in order to position itself as a benchmark agency at the international level in the next 15 years. One of them is the monopolization of outer space, as well as the great technological advancement of great powers. The truth is that this event places Mexico and Latin America in the race to take advantage of new strategic spaces.

The construction of new spaces of power

In classical geopolitics there are defined spaces where States project and exercise their power. The land, the sea and the air have been subject to theorizing that has led entire nations to undertake strategies to gain control at any cost.

The truth is that power dynamics change daily and the struggle for world hegemony has led States to undertake disputes under new paradigms. Currently, the spectrum of study of geopolitics has been expanded to face the new phenomena looming in international relations. That is why today various theorists point to a new space of study, the geopolitics of outer space or, in more exact words, astropolitics, which focuses on the study of relations between States with respect to the cosmos.

Although these concepts may seem new, the truth is that the regulations regarding the use and exploitation of outer space are embodied in a document from more than 50 years ago. The Treaties and Principles of the United Nations on Outer Space, of 1967, are a series of agreements between the members of the UN, whose ulterior purpose is nothing more than the regulation of the exploration and exploitation of outer space by the States.

The Treaty represents the basic legal framework, in terms of international law, for the proper functioning of international relations in this matter, since it places outer space as a "Res Nullius" (nobody's business), strictly prohibiting any State from claiming jurisdiction. on it.[1]

Likewise, the Treaty prohibits the placement or testing of nuclear or mass destruction weapons, the establishment of military bases, installations or fortifications, which jeopardize peace between nations in relation to outer space.[2]

It would seem that said document manages to adequately outline and guide the relations between States with respect to their participation in ultraterrestrial exploration and exploitation. However, like much of international treaties, reality trumps theory.

There is an unequal "distribution" with respect to the cosmos. As mentioned, only 10 space agencies have extensive domain control of outer space and satellite telecommunications. 5 of those 10 are, according to Brzezinski's words, geostrategically active actors[3], which own specific interests that they project, not only in defined geopolitical spaces (land, sea, air), but also in spaces considered, theoretically, as "peaceful"

It is well known that the classic way of waging war has been left behind by new forms of conflict. Although the military industry of the countries continues to boom, the technological and economic increase that each country may possess turns out to be vital for the global hegemonic reconfiguration. Although the Treaty prohibits any warlike practice, it does not prevent States from fighting for a greater presence in outer space under other practices.

The launch of satellites, space missions, as well as the colonization plans of various celestial bodies are clear examples of the strategies undertaken by the great powers and generate a range of possibilities for them to position themselves favorably with respect to others. However, these disputes leave relegated to countries that, undoubtedly, will depend on the technological progress of the great powers, as well as on the results of this new "space race".

New possibilities

Like many of the projects promoted by any government, the skepticism that has fallen on the creation of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency is great. Much is argued about the low feasibility of the project due to the high financing costs that it would entail. With an ongoing global economic crisis, priorities turn out to be widely set.

Despite these conceptions, it is necessary to emphasize the benefits that this project would bring at the regional level and, even more importantly, at the national level. In the first instance, it is important to emphasize that most of the country's telecommunications are concentrated in private industries. Mexico only has 4 artificial satellites in orbit, an insignificant number if we compare it with the more than 1,400 satellites that our neighbor to the north has.[[4]](https://cemeri.org/wp- admin/post.php?post=2630&action=edit#_ftn1)

Countries with the most satellites in outer space. Note: the data shown in this image was taken based on the year 2018, currently, some figures have changed. Source: Statista

The little investment in space infrastructure has generated that a large part of telecommunications, environmental monitoring, transportation, among many other things, are outsourced. That is, at the hands of private companies, or countries that offer their infrastructure at the cost of a payment.

Argentina is the South American country with the most satellites in orbit, with a total of twelve[5]. Cooperation between the two countries, as well as the union of CELAC members, would promote a significant increase in the regional potential with respect to outer space. Contrary to what is thought, the financing, as well as the creation of infrastructure, will not be unilateral nor will it fall on the promoter countries, but rather it will be a joint effort that will help Latin American countries to move away from the dynamics of technological interdependence. .

It should be considered that this project will not be created in a couple of years. It is a commitment that will transfer administrations. Perhaps, in a decade, the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency will position itself as an example of regional integration, demonstrating that Latin America has the capacity to generate its own technology and is not resigned to a secondary role as a continent.