Peru in the space race: what is the agreement signed by NASA and CONIDA?

Peru enters the space race with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed today between the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), of USAwhich is one more step towards our country having a space port.

The NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson, and the Institutional Head of CONIDA, Major General FAP Roberto Melgar Sheen, participated in the ceremony.

The Andina agency points out that the agreement promotes research and development of advanced technologies, in addition to opening the doors to the launch campaign of sounding rockets that will take place in 2028. In this way, Peru would have space capacity and participation in international scientific missions.

On the other hand, research seeks to study the interaction between the Sun and the Earth’s upper atmosphere near the magnetic equator, with the scientific base of Punta Lobos and the Jicamarca Radio Observatory being considered the ideal locations for this space science study.

The agreement details safety training, a joint feasibility study for a possible sounding rocket campaign, and technical assistance for CONIDA in launching sounding rockets.

And the spaceport?

On the other hand, the general commander of the Peruvian Air Force, Carlos Chávez, also indicated to TV Perú that the possibility of a space port will allow us to “launch our first vehicle into space.” “This (spaceport) project is moving very quickly, (…) we believe that within three to five years we will be able to launch our first vehicle into space,” he said.

This port would be found in Talara (Piura). The general pointed out that the location is strategic because it is only 4 degrees below the equator. It will be intended for the launch of space vehicles and suborbital vehicles.