China and Mexico discuss space collaboration at UNAM

China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Yin Hejun, visited the Space Instrumentation Laboratory (LINX) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to discuss potential space program collaborations. During the visit, the minister reviewed progress on the COLMENA-2 mission and COLMENA-1 microrobots, which are designed for lunar exploration and resource identification.

COLMENA-2, scheduled for the end of this decade, aims to develop autonomous systems capable of navigating, communicating, and conducting mineral prospecting in extreme lunar environments. Mission leader Gustavo Medina Tanco is already collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other Chinese institutes.

The discussions emphasized the importance of international collaboration and student participation in scientific development. A closer alliance with China could provide Mexico with access to robust technological systems and facilitate the training of Mexican specialists in autonomous robotics and prospecting sensors.