By The newspaper
Dec 27, 2023, 00:47 AM EST
Mexico is on the verge of a historic space exploration effort with its ‘Colmena’ project, possibly launching on January 8.
This mission marks an important milestone, as it aims to position Mexico as the first in Latin America to undertake such advanced lunar exploration, deploying five micro robots on the surface of the moon.
The Colmena Project: Pioneering space exploration in Mexico
Developed by the Space Instrumentation Laboratory of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), in collaboration with the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and other national institutions, the ‘Colmena’ project is a testimony of Mexican engineering and innovation.
According to a statement from the Government of Mexico, the mission will be launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, United States, with a team led by Gustavo Medina Tanco.
These micro robots, each weighing less than 60 grams and measuring 12 centimeters in diameter, embody the miniaturization and technological advances that Mexico has achieved.
The project involved redesigning almost the entire mission due to a change in the launch rocket and overcame numerous technical challenges, reflecting the dedication and experience of nearly 250 students who contributed to its development.
Mission objectives and technological advances
The main goal of the ‘Hive’ microrobots is to deploy on the lunar surface, recognize each other and assemble a panel to generate power, all while connecting electronically.
This demonstrates not only the intricate engineering behind the mission, but also Mexico’s ambition to develop its technology and assert its technological sovereignty on the global stage. The director of the AEM, Salvador Landeros, highlighted the importance of not only being consumers of technology, but becoming active participants with technological sovereignty, according to the EFE agency.
The success of the mission could pave the way for more sophisticated and autonomous space exploration in the future.
Mexico’s role in the Artemisa International Program
By undertaking this mission, Mexico also consolidates its participation in the international Artemis program, which it formally joined on December 9, 2022.
Artemis, an international human flight program led by NASA, aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and includes 13 countries. Mexico’s participation in such an important global initiative not only increases its position in the international community, but also opens opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and technological advances in space exploration.
Mexico’s ‘Colmena’ project represents a momentous step in Latin American space exploration. As the country prepares for the possible launch of its microrobots to the moon, the mission conveys the hopes and aspirations of a nation eager to make its mark in the realm of space technology and exploration.
The success of this mission could inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists in Mexico and beyond, encouraging more countries in the region to invest in space exploration and technological development.
Keep reading:
· What hides the south pole of the Moon and why many are interested in reaching it and investigating it
· Apollo 10 astronauts heard strange “music” on the far side of the Moon
· Artemis II: NASA reveals the identities of the 4 astronauts who will go around the Moon