Costa Rica is taking steps toward creating a space agency. This entity will specialize in executing spatial policies, research, innovation and development. A bill, Law of Creation of the Costa Rican Space Agency, was presented in the Legislative assembly yesterday.
Costa Rica has a wealth of experts in various aerospace areas as well as experience launching a satellite. These are some of the reasons the space agency is being started. Another is the positive economic impact it will have on the country.
The Irazú project launched the first Costa Rican satellite. The Space Systems Laboratory and the Technological Institute of Costa Rica are interested in using space to promote development in Guanacaste, which has ideal geographic and climatological conditions.
There is a great need for a central agency to bring together all the groups and institutions and experts in order to organize investigations and financing for future space projects. The bill also includes the creation of a high-tech laboratory, the Space Center of Guanacaste. Former astronaut Franklin Chang is behind the project.
