Set to open in December, Chile’s first National Space Center (CEN) has been under construction since May 2024.
Located in the municipality of Cerrillos, the complex will feature four large work areas, a room for developing space technology, and high-level equipment, including state-of-the-art supercomputers.
The center will include an 800-square-meter laboratory capable of integrating up to eight satellites at once, as well as a broadcast control center. The entire complex spans more than 5,800 square meters and is expected to significantly advance the National Space Program.
The center will employ an estimated 120 people, with civilians (primarily academics) accounting for about 30% of the crew.
The Chilean Air Force (FACh) is leading an initiative to create a National Satellite System, which aims to give Chile more autonomy and sovereignty in space.
Usach Robot
The project also seeks to promote workplace inclusion for people with disabilities through an alliance between the Chilean Air Force, Usach, and Teletón that led to the creation of Stelarbot.
Serving as the National Space Center’s concierge, this robot will be operated remotely by people with disabilities, using cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence.
Lorena Delgado, director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Laboratory (Leind) at the University of Santiago, provided details, revealing that “the FACh specifically contacted the University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Laboratory to develop this inclusive robot, which will be operated by people with disabilities. So, we are working on the development of Stelarbot for the center now.”
“We are working jointly with the Air Force and Teletón foundation to develop and implement this robot in the national space center,” she added.
Acting as a guide, Stelarbot will escort visitors through the center’s hall. It will lead tours, explain the purpose of each room, and describe the technologies being developed. Visitors will be able to communicate with the robot, asking questions and sharing their experiences.
The Usach academic highlighted the inauguration of this space, as “it will be a vital hub for innovation and technology in the region. It is also the first center of its kind to be built in South America and Chile.”
Delgado also noted that the “technological deployment that the center will have is very positive,” emphasizing the importance of it being “open to the public” so that everyone can have “access to learn about the cutting-edge and high-tech projects being developed there.”
She also emphasized that the creation of these spaces is crucial from an academic standpoint. “It is good for the University and the educational community in general,” she explained, “as it is essential to have the possibility of creating joint projects that fuel the development of the center, and where we can make use of the technology that is being adapted. It is good for the country, for innovation, and research.”