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The impact of an aerospace organization in developing countries: The central American case

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Central American Association for Aeronautics and Space (ACAE, in Spanish) is a non-profit organization, which leads the efforts in order to introduce the Central American region in the world's technological paradigm of aerospace development. Its vision is to inspire the Central American talent to participate in the development of the aerospace industry. ACAE is working harmoniously with the private sector, the government and the academia of Costa Rica through initiatives as the development of the aerospace related law framework, the promotion of research, the generation of innovative projects, the promotion and diffusion of knowledge in the aerospace field. With these objectives in mind, the association is working on the creation of an aerospace cluster of companies in Costa Rica. In order to increase the knowledge about the aerospace market in the country, ACAE conducted a research during 2011 in partnership with the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) and the most prestigious Business School of Latin America (INCAE). The study showed a market's value in the country around USD $170MM, which approximately 17% of it invested in R&D, and more than 4000 jobs related with the field. ACAE has come to the conclusion that in order to show the capacity of Central American people to develop a space project, a practical demonstration is a mandatory. In partnership with the most prestigious technological university in the country, the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC), the association is working on the design of the first satellite of the region, a nanosatellite based in the CubeSat specification. The planned launch date of this nanosatellite is 2015. The first steps to achieve this goal were made by experiments using meteorological balloons sending electronic equipment to the Stratosphere, inspiring the entire society and motivating new generations of engineering students to join this academic project. This paper will explain the experience of developing the design of the first Central American nanosatellite. The reason of the project will be described, along with the impact that it has had at the moment and the future results and effects for the region expected by the organization.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012
Pages4185-4191
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2012
Event63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012 - Naples, Italy
Duration: 1 Oct 20125 Oct 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume5
ISSN (Print)0074-1795

Conference

Conference63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityNaples
Period1/10/125/10/12

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