A technical operator of the SAOCOM satellites, which provide key data for environmental issues, expressed his concern about the future of the Argentinian space system on social media.
Daniel Aguirre, a professional who has been working at the National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE) for twelve years, shared his testimony, which quickly went viral due to its rawness.
“Talking about closing or weakening CONAE is not a symbolic or budgetary issue. It means turning off a system that has decades of investment, human resources training, infrastructure, and knowledge,” Aguirre said in his post.
Key Satellites for Environmental Monitoring
The testimony was shared this week, just a few days after the dismissal of twenty workers from the state aerospace company VENG in Córdoba, directly linked to CONAE.
In an exchange with other users, the space operator mentioned that, although there is no official announcement of closure, a progressive dismantling of the scientific institution is being experienced in practice. “Contracts have been suspended, new projects have been halted, and key positions are not being filled. All of this is leaving CONAE without operational capacity,” he replied to an inquiry.
In his letter, Aguirre pointed out that the technology generated in these centers has a real impact on people’s lives. The two SAOCOM teams (Argentine Microwave Observation Satellite) were launched into space between 2018 and 2020. They provide information on soils, waters, and vegetation, as well as data for disaster prevention and management.
“Anyone who has ever seen how our satellites help monitor a fire, a flood, a drought, or how they help predict land use or protect our fisheries, knows that this is not ‘expense.’ It is smart investment, sovereignty, the ability to act,” Aguirre stated.
The technician also highlighted the recognition that Argentinian space science has gained in recent years. Countries like the United States, Italy, and Brazil have collaborated on missions coordinated by CONAE.
The space operator appealed to his direct experience by saying that he “speaks not from an office” but from the operations rooms where data is systematized. Aguirre concludes by urging to not allow “the Argentine space” to be turned off.
“I speak from the emotion of seeing a satellite that we worked on for years launch. And also from the concern that all of that could be lost. That’s why, more than ever, I ask that we defend what we have built.”
Space Program at Risk
Alerts about the uncertain future of the Argentine space development are growing louder.
At the end of last year, the government announced the postponement of the launch of Arsat’s third satellite, known as SG1, to October 2027. Originally, the launch was scheduled for early 2025. This new equipment is essential as it would complement and replace the two existing Arsat satellites, whose useful lives expire in 2029. A further postponement would jeopardize the continuity of the space project.
Another noteworthy case was the victory of the team from the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA) in the CanSat Competition 2025, organized by NASA. While President Javier Milei proudly celebrated the achievement on his social media, it was revealed that his administration eliminated the equivalent Argentine program. CanSat Argentina was an educational program promoted by the former Ministry of Science and Technology in conjunction with CONAE. This initiative allowed young people, aged 13 to 19, to design, build, and launch small satellites. In 2024, the program was suspended as part of scientific cutbacks.
