Peru is a country that has always been present during the history of the space sector. Since the first contributions made to rocketry by Pedro Paulet adn the creation of launching facilities for research purposes using sounding rockets, we have always wanted to be part of Space. Currently, Peru is growing in the field of space applications with the acquisition of the Peru-Sat1 Satellite and is looking forward to develop scientific research in the Martian Analog Pampas de La Joya as well as with the development of small rockets, nanosatellites and biological payloads by different groups working in peruvian universities.
The South American region is carrying out big steps to have a strong presence in space, and Peru is not an exception; we are looking for like-minded young space enthusiasts, who share our passion, to help Peru having an International key role in the space community. Join us!
Young Space Activities in Peru
Space activities in Peru are performed basically by Universities, Non-profit Space Societies and the Peruvian government through the Peruvian Space Agency – CONIDA, and international cooperation.
In the last decades, four Peruvian nano-satellites, made by groups in Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Universidad Alas Peruanas and Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, were put in orbit, and other two are being built by Universidad Tecnológica del Peru to be launched in 2019. The PUCP-SAT 1 and POCKET-PUCP, built by the INRAS Institute of Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru) in 2013, the UAPSAT-I (Universidad Alas Peruanas) in 2014, and the CHASQUI-I (Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria) also in 2014, represent the efforts of the academia sector for create space capabilities and develop necessary skills within the country and great opportunities for young people to get involved. Fially in 2016 the first Peruvian SAtellite, PeruSat-1 was put in orbit, and in 2017 it became fully accesed by the Peruvian Space Agency which has been working with Universities, government entities and companies to observe and study the Peruvian territory with applications in agriculture, defense, ecology and hydrology among other fields.
Science, developent and outreach are other of Peru’s principal activities in the sector, regarding space there are different groups who work to increase awareness on fields like astrobiology, space exploration, space engineering and rocketry, among others. These activities are usually presented to the public in events as “Peru con Ciencia”, the Latin American and the International Congresses of Astrobiology, and smaller events given by these groups.
The First Peruvian Space Week was a 5-day event, from 1st to 5th August 2016, which had two main activities: the 2016 South America – Space Generation Workshop (SA-SGW), which was held in the first two days and the First Latin American Congress of Astrobiology (I-CLA), which was held in the last three days. The event main goals were to strengthen the network of students, academics and professionals in South America to work together in topics related to aerospace sciences and technologies, to examine and to consider important aspects that the South American space community is currently facing and to transfer that knowledge to the new generations of space professionals.
I’n 2018, The Fourth International Congress of Astrobiology is taking place in Lima, with the participation of distinguished lecturers from Peru, Colombia, México, Spain and also NASA.
Country Specific Events in 2018
- World Space Week: World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. From October
Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Peru
Agencia Espacial del Peru, CONIDA: The official website of the Peruvian Space Agency , CONIDA.
UAPSAT-1 (Universidad Alas Peruanas): The official website of the picosatellite UAPSAT-1 built by students from Peruvian university “Universidad Alas Peruanas”.
Chasqui-1 (Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria – Peru): The official website of the nanosatellite Chasqui-1 built by students from Peruvian university “Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria”.
Instituto de Radioastronomía de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (INRAS): The official website of the INRAS-PUCP responsible for the development of PUCPSat-1 and Pocket-PUCP.
The Mars Society – Peru Chapter: The official website of the Mars Society Peru
Sociedad Cientifica de Astrobiologia del Peru (SCAP): The official website of the Peruvian Astrobiology Scientific Society
Asociacion Peruana de Astronomia The official website of the Peruvian Association of Astronomy.
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