The construction of the National Space Center (CEN) at the Cerrillos Air Base of the Chilean Air Force is 85% complete and will be the first center in the country dedicated exclusively to the development of space technology and knowledge.
This was announced by the Minister of National Defense, Adriana Delpiano, and the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aldo Valle, after inspecting the progress of the works on site, accompanied by the FACH Space Director, Air Brigadier General Jaime Rivera.
Among the functions that the CEN will have are the construction of satellites, the processing of geospatial information and the development of projects together with other scientific institutions and universities.
Minister Delpiano explained that "this will be a center for the construction of Earth observation satellites. We also hope to have a center in the north for communications satellites, which will illuminate many territories with which it is difficult to communicate, and on the other hand, a space center in Punta Arenas, dedicated to the construction of satellites that allow seeing under the clouds, under the smoke, when observation is not direct, because it has a radar system".
"Chile contributes to the development of science, technology and knowledge, making a qualitative leap in its defense capabilities and positioning itself as a benchmark in the field," added the Secretary of State.
In addition, the authority highlighted the contribution of CEN to astronomy: "We also want this center to communicate with that other line, which are the networks of observatories that the country has thanks to its geography and also thanks to its climate. And therefore we can be or consider ourselves a pioneer country in observation and space work".
For his part, Minister Valle said that "here we are going to develop indispensable capabilities for national development because we will bring together high technology that will allow us to generate very positive impacts on the development of knowledge, research and our economy".
"It is gratifying to see how the articulation of different energies, of different capabilities, serves the public interest. This center that will soon be inaugurated will be open to universities, to research centers and will be a very clear sign of the modernization of the State", he added.
In its 5,800 m2 the CEN will have a Space Technology Development Laboratory, with a Clean Room of 600 m2, with controlled environment of particles in suspension and that will allow the manufacture of the 7 satellites of 23 kg and 1 Earth observation satellite of approximately 200 kg.
It also contemplates a Space Mission Control Center for the autonomous monitoring and operation of satellites, a Data Science Laboratory, oriented to the analysis and processing of large volumes of geospatial information, and a Laboratory for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Promotion of Talent, to promote the development of national capabilities in the space field, promoting technological innovation, the creation of startups and the strengthening of human capital.
The space director of the FACH, Air Brigadier General Jaime Rivera, highlighted the opportunities that the CEN will open: "It is to develop talent, retain talent that today is being formed in universities and schools, at the same time promote productivity in an economy that is only growing globally and that has a global impact. And of course, to support each of the industries and sectors of our country, such as mining, fishing, agriculture, the study of different areas, such as glaciers, even the urbanization of our cities".
The construction of the CEN began in May 2024 within the framework of the National Space Policy and its inauguration is projected for next December.
Check the original note on the Ministry of Defense website.
