Mexican congress approves space agency

[clickypens]

20 april 2010.- With the finality of proposing and executing space policies in Mexico, the Mexican Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Mexicana, AEXA) was approved in the Chamber of Deputies by a vote of 280 in favor, 2 against, and 4 abstentions.
Said agency will allow Mexico to form part of the International Space Community, counting with a first-year budget of 10 thousand million pesos (about 820 million dollars).
In this sense, the AEXA will be in charge of promoting the development of space systems and media, as well as infrastructure and technology necessary for the consolidation and autonomy in that sector for the country, with the finality of incorporating other sectors related to this policy, like production.
Article (in Spanish): http://www.elsemanario.com.mx/news/news_display.php?story_id=36802
Site (in Spanish, with an English section): http://www.aexa.tv/


Being from Mexico, I think it's great that we're finally at least getting an official space agency. It's goal for right now is to set up headquarters and offices and determine the launch site. I'd go with the Yucatan peninsula, but they're looking at Hidalgo (an inland state about 60 km from Mexico City) because of it's pre-existing infrastructure. Hopefully they'll be able to design and build some rockets and maybe one day put a man in space indigenously.

Kinda makes me want to get into add-on making!

 

[ar81]

Well I'd love to see those addons...
Great news. It seems that Mexico may dream on space some day.

 

[Salun]

must......resist.....can't.....Mustn't.......RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/155142/?searchterm=Free+Willzyx

 

[Artlav]

Interesting, i wonder what will come out of it.

Btw, first thing Google gives on "Mexican space program" is:

 

[SiberianTiger]

Interesting, i wonder what will come out of it.

A fat contract for Khrunichev, I believe.

 

[Ark]

"Si, fly..."

 

[AirSimming]

It's great that more and more nations are aiming for space flight. Hopefully more companies like SpaceX would follow as well in future. I think that the space age still has just begun.

 

[Arrowstar]

must......resist.....can't.....Mustn't.......RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/155142/?searchterm=Free+Willzyx

Gah, beaten to the punch!

 

[Unstung]

I hope the American and Russian astronauts like burritos.

 

[tblaxland]

I hope the American and Russian astronauts like burritos.

Tortillas are already very popular in space. They stay fresh for a relatively long time and create few crumbs. See some breakfast burritos being made on the middeck here: http://www.space.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=SP_090911_burritos-in-space

 

[clickypens]

I know most of this has been in jest, but I for one would really like to see something come out of this, even if it is just more Mexican astronauts. One can always hope, can't they?

 

[ar81]

Tortillas do not require very special conditions and they last long.
Those are suitable for space.

 

[clickypens]

But are the shuttle tortillas hand-made? Maybe we can get some tacos de carne asada on the ISS. That'd be delicious.

 

[ar81]

O how about "gallos de salchichón" from the future technology that may come from Costa Rica? :lol:

 

[clickypens]

What are gallos de salchichón? Sounds like some weird amalgam of chicken and sausage, which also sounds delicious. Space could definitely benefit from some latin-american cuisine!