BRASILIA,
Brazil — The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) recently proposed in Bogotá,
Colombia, the creation of a Latin American Alliance of Space Agencies
(ALAS).
The proposal was presented by the head of the Office of International
Cooperation, José Monserrat Filho, who was in the country to attend the
preparatory meeting of space agencies and commissions in Latin America,
the Sergio Arboleda University, and the International Workshop on Space
Law and Sovereignty, promoted the Colombian Space Commission, linked to
the vice-presidency of the Republic and the Colombian Air Force.
Participating in the seminar were representatives from Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru as
special guest the secretary general of the International Academy of
Astronautics, Jean-Michel Contant. By Brazil, and attended Monserrat
Secretary of the Embassy of Brazil in Bogota, William Alexander Rivera,
and Colonel Jorge Vagner Vital coordinator Technical and Operational
Coordination Committee Implementation of Space Systems (Ccise), the Air
Command of Brazil.
Both in the preparatory meeting in the seminar as the Brazilian
proposal was well received, began to be discussed informally in
conversations on cooperation and partnerships.
The AEB also suggested that the Alliance start looking for their
activities in practice, at least two programs: cooperation between Latin
American universities to produce small satellites economic, efficient
and helpful with the mission of providing services to the countries of
region, and assembly of a regional system of access, distribution and
use of data and satellite images, needed to plans for social and
economic development of each country.
ALAS is thought to be a forum aimed to provide and encourage the
implementation of programs and collaborative projects able to meet the
needs and demands of the region. The entity initially operate through
virtual contacts and videoconferences. The intention is to make maximum
use of the human and technological resources that already exist.
To Monserrat, the Alliance will certainly have a long way to go to
achieve the positive results we all seek, “but the first steps well
focused and concrete, should be given with the utmost possible haste.”
The preparatory meeting of space agencies and commissions in Latin
America focused on preparing the Summit of Presidents of Space Agencies
of the world, to be held in Washington, USA, on January 9, 2014.
Source: http://moonandback.com/2013/11/18/brazil-proposes-latin-american-space-alliance/