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El Salvador Aerospace Institute
Instituto Aeroespacial de El Salvador
Agency overview
Abbreviation	ESAI/IAES
Formed	January 16, 2012 (informal); February 15, 2020 (formal)
Type	Space agency
Headquarters	San Salvador City, El Salvador (Key Partnerships)
Motto	Building Strong Research, Development and Innovation (R&D+I) of the Aerospace Industry in El Salvador
Official language	Spanish
Administrator	Dr. Luis Alfaro
Owner	El Salvador
Annual budget	Information is not availabe (2020)[citation needed]
Website	www.esai.org.sv

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The El Salvador Aerospace Institute or El Salvador Aerospace Agency (ESAI/IAES; Spanish: Instituto Aeroespacial de El Salvador o Agencia Espacial de El Salvador) is the national space agency of El Salvador, established in February 2020, even though the Institute was informally cooperating to persuade the government of El Salvador to launch Aerospace projects since early 2012. The agency does not have full infrastructure yet, and aims to promote and coordinate education, research, industry, development and innovation of the space-related activities that are performed in the country. Up to date; the Institute is represented by Dr. Luis Alfaro, a scientist and prominent philanthropist, whos according with the United Nation of Outer Space (UNOOSA) ^[2] and also nominated as National Point of Contact to El Salvador (NoP) by UNISEC-Global, a Japanese Think Tank and international nonprofit body, consisting of local-chapters across the world. Since its establishment in November 2013 in Japan, UNISEC-Global has provided a forum every year to promote practical space development activities, mainly at university level, such as designing, developing, manufacturing, launching and operating micro/nano/pico satellites and rockets, including their payloads. University students, young researchers, their tutors and other stakeholders around the world participate in the annual UNISEC-Global Meeting. ^[3]

Early History

2012: From Coffee to Technological Vision

On the year 2008-2012, ESAI/IAES started as great shift in the history of El Salvador when it was Officially Invited to support the event entitled “First Aeronautical Forum of El Salvador”. This forum was attended by Government Authorities (the Vice President of El Salvador and Chair of the Air Force of El Salvador) as well as private companies, including AVIANCA (TACA), Aeroman, Helica; Local Universities, Students, Third Parties related with the Aeronautics, Gold Sponsors and the Civil Society. At that time, ESAI launch a small presentation as VIP Guests. The result of this event, was the beginning of ESAI/IAES members to perform a series of trips across El Salvador and introduce personal experiences as a campaign to motivate the others in order to explore the fields of engineering.

2013-2014: The Era of First Steps

In the year 2013; ESAI/IAES was recognized by the International Community; and initiated the potential market & feasibility study over the industry to explore investments and development. As a result ESAI/IAES conclude of combining the confluence with Small Groups of Professional Salvadorans with a great dream: Create a National Space Program and demonstrate the country's capacity to breakdown paradigms of challenging the perception such as “El Salvador cannot become a technological nation of development and scientific ground”. The history of ESAI/IAES is a National Destiny; a merely case where Programs & Projects are interrelated with the aerospace. Each partner, trust & cooperation, denote confidence and support. The main target of the Institute, is to help the Salvadoran society through the Science & Engineering and Innovation (S&E+I). While the efforts from ESAI has been worthy, and a proof of work; its mission has broken negative statements, and day by day; cooperate to move toward the acquisition of full capacity to Development and Use Salvadoran Aerospace Assets, as a principle to contribute into the National Economy and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. The case of ESAI/IAES is basic Research, Development and Innovation (R&D+I) which is gain through intense participation; so that large participation at International events worldwide is always a priority. ESAI/IAES; stamps the steadily conviction to stay as El Salvador Aerospace Top Priority. In the early years; the Institute contribute to launch projects such as:

Stratospheric balloons

SALSAT satellite-Planning stages

Experimental Solid Fuel Rockets

Technology & Training

Renewable Energies

2015-2017: Networking and Strengthening

Despite all the accumulated efforts; the Institute cannot ignore the challenges faced in the developing world, therefore particular planning is necessary to progress and catching up with the international community; the result of doing Research & Testing is the pioneering key of leaders & teams; in this specific point, the cooperation at all levels, including the support by local universities, private enterprises and direct partnership with the Salvadoran Government is important to consolidate such vision & efforts. ESAI/IAES is the main Aerospace Think Tank of El Salvador, where engineering and ideas are developed by Salvadorans, with the unique purpose of contributing to shape the future and development through the use of Technology. The institute was the first institution in the history of El Salvador to introduce a Research Paper at the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). The paper was entitled: "THE NECESSITY OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS AND COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK TO EXECUTE AEROSPACE INITIATIVES IN CENTRAL AMERICA. THE CASE OF ESAI, EL SALVADOR, CENTRAL AMERICA: NETWORKING ANALYSIS, CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES", and is a copyright of the Institute through the representative Dr. Luis Alfaro ^[4]

The IAF was founded in 1951, when scientists from the field of space research gathered in an attempt to ensure a constant dialogue between the space nations, regardless of political turmoil. In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses – better known as the IAC – were one of few fora where East and West could meet during the Space Race. In 2021, the IAF will mark its 70th Anniversary and, throughout all these years, it has continued to witness history through the remarkable achievements of its member organizations ^[5]

In this period, the Institute; initiated the campaign "El Salvador - Worldwide Aerospace Project", some of the main institutions where ESAI/IAES was promoted include major Think Tanks in the United States of America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The promotion and presentations were successfully accepted, as a result of the efforts, ESAI/IAES has been invited to travel across the world with presentations, collaboration projects, government authorities, private sector investment and fundaments to consolidated ESAI/IAES in other regions of the world. The unique space that ESAI/IAES has not consolidated is the hearing at the own country, where the government remains detached to support the budget to enhance the capabilities of the Aerospace industry.

One of the main projects that called the attention was The Torogoz Sounding Rocket Project as it saw notable advances in terms of infrastructure development, design advances and successful launch campaigns. In 2016, was the first year that members of the Institute successfully participated in the 2016 KARI International Space Training hosted by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Daejeon, South Korea ^[6].

In addition, during this period was the second year that members of the institute participated as delegates and presented several technical papers in the 67th International Astronautical Congressheld in Guadalajara, Mexico. However, through the years several workshops, lectures and exhibitions about space engineering have been presented by members of ESAI/IAES in different events such as the United States Embassy in El Salvador’s “Space Month, 2013 & 2014”, Campus Party 2014, IEEE’s CONESCAPAN 2015, UDB’s “Semana de la Aeronautica 2013, 2014 & 2015”, UCA’s “II Congreso de Ingenieria y Arquitectura 2012” as well as many type of activities in the public, private schools and universities throughout the country ^[7]

2018-2019: National and International Campaign

The institute made an reengineering of its Organizational Structure to lead the Aerospace Research, Development and Innovation (R&D+I) to consolidate achievements accumulated through the history and merits; it is the moment when ESAI/IAES under the leadership of Dr. Luis Alfaro, decides to take advantages over his working experience, mostly promoting worldwide activities, mainly in the fields of Aerospace, General Engineering, Ports, Logistics and SCM to name a few of them. Dr. Luis Alfaro is a prominent researcher who has worked for some of the larges organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) headquartered in Washington DC, Mirae Asset (one of the largest worldwide capital market in the industry of Asset Management), Automobile Industry, Education and some other partnerships through the support of foreign governments. Dr. Luis Alfaro; has been a FOUNDER MEMBER of ESAI/IAES since the beginning of its early steps. Up to date, Dr. Luis Alfaro, leads the Institute and all the Planning, Investment, Strategies as well as the (R&D+I) activities. This contribution matured the starting point to support a remarkable Salvadoran path, such contribution was the beginning for ESAI/IAES to reflect capabilities to develop in the coming years.

2020-2030: Master Plan Overview

The planning strategy includes dissemination of ESAI/IAES in El Salvador to catch up with the Central Government. With this strategy, ESAI/IAES persuade to consolidate and retake some of the most remarkable initiatives. The motivation aims to develop together a planning stage to succeed as an emerging nation in Central America, thanks to the long term vision generated by ESAI/IAES while collaborating with selective MEMBERS, Groups of Nations worldwide, and others that are willing to SPONSOR ESAI/IAES to develop various Aerospace Programs & Projects. This top recognition from the Institute is to enhance in El Salvador, the Institute as the First Nation among the North Triangle (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador) in Central America to receive Honorific Mentions and the Second Nation to Actively Participate in Aerospace activities after Costa Rica in the whole Central America region. The progress of ESAI/IAES is unique as a precedent, which clearly depicts the spirit to generate knowledge, R&D+I, Economic Growth and Efforts to make a better country with the priority to serve its local and overseas citizens day by day.

The effort and recognition of ESAI/IAES in the year 2020 was finally supported by holding an initial step where the Institute had the opportunity to introduce its progress, mission, vision, eventually the Strategic Plan will be release to the Casa Presidencial (CAPRES) Casa Presidencial or Presidential House, San Salvador, El Salvador, which is the main house of the incumbent President of El Salvador; the construction work on the original official residence began place in 1911, the year in which the President of the republic, Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo, made a decree which would authorize the acquisition of a property called “Quinta Natalia”. That property was situated in the San Jacinto neighborhood, to the south of the capital city. On May 9, 1912, the Legislative Assembly allowed the hiring of a national, North American, or European firm for the construction of several buildings, including one destined to be "The Normal School for Teachers" which would later become the presidential house ^[8].

In addition to the Presidential House Representatives, some other Government Authorities attended the meeting, some of them come from the Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología MINEDUCYT ^[9], Agencia de Promoción de Inversiones (PROESA) ^[10], Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de El Salvador (RREE) ^[11], entre otras entidades.

The Master Plan

ESAI/IAES, in 2019-2020 announced its key strategy to exploit the potential, feasibility study and partnership with the Industry and Academia to launch a Master Plan of Investment & Cooperation, the plan include one of the largest investments in the Eastern of the country where the Academia & Industry can combine efforts to found the First National Aerospace Cluster/Hubs in the country supported by the International Community, Governments, Private sectors, Academia and People. This initiative is the biggest achievement of ESAI/IAES since it is able to contribute with the land facilities to reach the main goal 'education and development without borders'; eventually the institute cooperate with the Central Government to coordinate the National Agenda of the Space; however, this master plan is not entirely a concept where the government manage or determine policies; ESAI/IAES has always preserve the commitment to separate government and non-profit organizations.

The Concept of Accreditation

The national and international recognition through the concept of Accreditation ^[12] are important not just for the case of formality but also to enhance the active participation and enrollment of people, companies, students, governments as well as the national & international partners. ESAI/IAES, believes accreditation means that students, employers and the community in general can be absolutely confident how ESAI/ IAES is contributing to support training, education, technology, R&D+I investments, and so on and so forth; under the commitment of training professionals with the highest-quality, qualified labor force and recognized by the world.

Up to date; ESAI/IAES has made agreements to partner with local universities in El Salvador and support their community of students and professionals to apply a method of WIN-WIN, where the Institute plays an important part of the Aerospace industry, facilities and its continuous progress or development; such achievement allows to become the first national institution that works to consolidate the stamp and footprint of the organization overseas.

The Sustainable Development Goals

Since 2015; ESAI/IAES as a non-profit organization, is a permanent member at the The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, in order to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

The Legal Framework

The institute in the early years initiated as an office created by a group of Salvadoran Professionals, mostly graduated overseas; and always attached to operate through the support of different entities either from the public and private sectors such as Instituciones de educación superior en El_Salvador

Casa Presidencial or Presidential House, San Salvador, El Salvador

Secretariat of Communications and Transportation which conducted experiments in rocketry, telecommunications and atmospheric studies from 1962 to 1976.^[13] After its dissolution by Presidential decree, on November 3, 1977, some activities were financed by the extinct Instituto Mexicano de Comunicaciones (Mexican Communications Institute) (transformed into the current Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones), by Satmex - then a state-owned company - and some higher education institutions, such as the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, the Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada and the CINVESTAV.^[13]

Presentation at Congress

The bill for the foundation of a formal space agency, was originally conceived by José Luis Garcia and Fernando de la Peña. It was reviewed by Gianfranco Bissiacchi, José Hernández, Rodolfo Neri Vela among others. It was then submitted.^[14]

The developers presented a bill to Congress whose main purpose was, according to Fernando de la Peña, promote private investment and facilitate the creation of multinational aerospace companies in the state of Hidalgo.^[15]

The agency was approved by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies (208 voted yes, 2 no and 4 absentees) on April 20, 2010^[16] after receiving a significant vote of confidence on April 26, 2006.^[17]

Submission and Presentation to the Legislative Assembly/Senate of El Salvador

El Salvador lacks a legal framework to regulate the Aerospace its industry, academic programs, feseability of competition in the market, and other parameters to aline the Aerospace into the national and international basis; only the Autoridad de Aviación Civil (El Salvador) or Civil Aviation Authority of El Salvador (AAC)^[18] has some coverage related with the concept of Space but is boundary is more belong to Aeronautics; such situation presents limitations not just for the legal operations but also to denote among other nations the commitment of El Salvador to actively participate from technology in the Aerospace Industry. The institute makes efforts to avoid protests and concerns of some sectors that could displease at not totally able to understand the sophisticated world of aerospace or being awareness to properly consult before being presented to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador ^[19] for a vote.

For this reason, the Institute equally works toward the consolidation for a bill to be approved by the Asamblea Legislativa de El Salvador or Legislative Assembly/Senate of El Salvador PRD Senator and president of the Committee on Science and Technology of the Senate, Francisco Javier Castellón Fonseca, requested the organization of forums to identify any concerns and disagreements. Afterwards the 'Grupo Promotor de la Agencia Espacial Mexicana' was created and coordinated by the Academia de Ingeniería (English: Engineering Academy) made a new initiative of law for the Mexican Congress. To this proposal some comments were included, (particularly from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, and the Consejo Consultivo de Ciencias de la Presidencia de la República (Science Advisory Board of the Presidency of the Republic).^[20] The new initiative ended up being adopted by the Senate unanimously on November 4, 2008 and returned to the chamber of origin to be turned over to the committees on science and technology, legislative studies second, and budget and public accounts to undergo a second analysis and ballot.^[21]

Establishment

The law that creates the agency was published by the President Felipe Calderón on July 30, 2010 and came into effect on July 31, 2010.^[22] The first governing board was established on 7 September 2010. The board organised a series of forums with space experts to outline a space policy, that was published on 13 July 2011. On 1 November 2011 Francisco Javier Mendieta Jiménez was appointed as Director General.^[23]

Other Activities

The agency is in its early stages of identifying and defining needs and objectives. It is currently holding forums to develop clear goals and strategies in the aerospace industry sector.^[24]^[25] In 2012, funding was pledged for an educational satellite,^[26] but it was not awarded.^[27] On 10 December 2017, a stratospheric balloon flight carrying a gondola, Nanoconect-1, was declared the first "satellite" launched by AEM, and from Mexican territory.^[28]

In June 2015^[29] AEM signed a launch contract to transport micro-rovers as secondary payloads on Astrobotic Technology's lunar lander called Peregrine, now planned for a 2021 launch.^[30] But in 2019, Astrobotics' flight manifest shows that AEM will now fly an instrument, not rovers.^[31]