Uruguay aims to establish its own space agency, with the draft bill currently under review by the House’s Defense Committee.
Critics and supporters are vocal about the plan. The agency would have a five-member board. The President and the Executive Power would choose these members.
An advisory council would also exist. This council would have reps from companies in the space sector. Funding would come from the budget and outside loans or donations.
The opposition worries about private interests taking over. Right now, only one company, Satellogic, operates in this field in Uruguay.
This company backs the government’s plan. It also follows U.S. and NATO rules. Satellogic’s CEO, Emiliano Kargieman, supports the plan.
He says the agency could boost Uruguay’s economy. Kargieman advises against too many rules at the start.
His company aims to map Earth daily with many satellites. Satellogic is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Alignment with big countries is important, Kargieman says. This is especially true for the defense and intelligence sectors.
In summary, the proposed space agency has both fans and critics. Its final form and role are still under debate.
Background
The idea of a space agency is not new to Uruguay. In the past, the country has relied on international partnerships for space technology.
Uruguay has even had its own satellite, AntelSat, launched in 2014. This was a joint venture with other countries.
Satellogic’s presence in Uruguay marks a shift towards a local space industry. The company was founded in Argentina in 2010.
It later set up operations in Uruguay’s Zonamérica business park. The ongoing debate on the space agency will shape Uruguay’s role in space exploration and technology.