Today, we explore developments in Latin America’s space program. The latest on the vaccine wars in Brazil. And a thrilling finish to the 2020 election.
Latin America aims for space
Latin America is not only seeking its rightful place in the world — but also in space. A group of eight countries, led by Mexico and Argentina, has banded together to create the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), with plans to launch several small satellites as early as 2021 or 2022 to monitor oceans and climate changes, as well as assisting agriculture. “Our region will no longer be left out of great projects such as the return of man to the Moon in 2024 or the exploration of Mars,” said the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a statement released earlier in the week.
- The space agency has been created under the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), a multilateral body Mexico is trying to revive in order to increase its influence in the region.
Who’s in? Besides Mexico and Argentina, the governments of Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Paraguay will be full ALCE members. Colombia and Peru will join as observing countries.
- Brazil, home to...