Mexico

Mexico's Space Program

The Mexican Space Agency, known as Agencia Espacial Mexicana (AEM), was established in 2010 and began operations in 2013, marking a significant step in Mexico's commitment to space exploration. The agency is at the forefront of developing Mexico's commercial space industry, focusing on satellite acquisition and the advancement of technology and infrastructure. AEM's scope of activities includes managing communications and scientific satellites and conducting research in astronomy, astrophysics, Earth sciences, and robotics, among other fields. Notably, Mexico has initiated collaborations with international space agencies, including significant partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, and space sectors in countries like Brazil and Russia. In 2021, Mexico further solidified its position in global space exploration by joining the US-led Artemis Accords, emphasizing lunar and space exploration. As the headquarters of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, Mexico continues to be a pivotal player in regional and international space initiatives.

Space agency/agencies

Mexican Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Mexicana or AEM; founded in 2010 and commenced operations in 2013) (2025)

Space program overview

possesses a national space policy aimed at enhancing Mexico's commercial space industry, which includes satellite acquisition and the development of specialists, technologies, and infrastructure; produces and manages communications and scientific satellites; engages in research across a variety of space-related fields and technologies such as astronomy, astrophysics, Earth sciences, weather sciences, remote sensing, robotics, satellite payloads, and telecommunications; collaborates with multiple international space agencies and commercial space sectors, including those from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the European Space Agency (ESA), various ESA member nations (notably France, Germany, and the UK), India, Japan, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States; spearheaded the initiative to create the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and serves as its headquarters (2025)

Key space-program milestones

1962-1977 - sounding rocket initiative

1985 - first Mexican astronaut in space aboard the US Space Shuttle; first communications satellite (Morelos-1) constructed by the US and deployed from the US Space Shuttle

2015 - inaugural successful launch of the MEXSAT series of communications satellites by the US

2021 - entered into the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar and space exploration

2024 - provided five autonomous micro-robots (Colmena project) for a failed US commercial lunar lander mission