Progress made on national low orbit satellite launcher in Argentina
Argentine President, Alberto Fernández, visited the Punta Indio Space Center (CEPI) in Pipinas, Buenos Aires province, to witness the completion of the structural tank prototype for the first stage of Argentina’s “Tronador II” satellite launcher.
“We are one of the 10 countries in the world capable of putting satellites into orbit, and that is sovereignty”, stated the President.
President Fernández stressed the significance of satellites in the modern era and the importance of Argentina’s ability to construct its own rocket propellant to launch its homegrown satellites. He also encouraged unity in the effort to build and develop these tools.
A press release from the Presidency mentioned that “Tronador II” is part of CONAE’s Access to Space program.
Its goal is to launch satellites into low orbits, 600 kilometers from Earth, using a launcher fully developed in Argentina.
The project has an estimated total investment of 450 million dollars by the National Government through 2030 and includes investment for developing a prototype named TII-70 and crucial auxiliary infrastructure.
Currently, the rocket is being developed at two CONAE space centers, one at the Teófilo Tabanera Space Center in Córdoba province, where manufacturing, integration, and testing of the launcher’s propulsion system are underway, and the other at the CEPI in Pipinas, focusing on the manufacturing and integration of the fuselage.
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