Central American Space Congress promotes regional aerospace growth

The third edition of the Central American Space Congress (CEC) was held at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, bringing together over 500 students, researchers, and professionals to discuss the future of space development in the region.

Representatives from major international space agencies, including NASA, JAXA, DLR, ISRO, and Blue Origin, participated in the event. The congress aimed to foster connections through internships, university collaborations, and commercial partnerships. Experts emphasized that Central American participation should extend beyond academia to include businesses specializing in software, robotics, manufacturing, and data analysis.

Organizers highlighted Guatemala’s growing capabilities, noting the successful development and launch of the Quetzal-1 satellite and the ongoing construction of Quetzal-2. The event sought to demonstrate that space science is no longer exclusive to historically dominant nations and to create pathways for regional talent to meet global market requirements in terms of quality, cost, and delivery.