IPN goes for a Mexican Space Program

Through the Aerospace Development Center, the Politécnico will contribute its scientific and technological capabilities to boost Mexican satellite technology alongside the National University

Adda Avendaño

The synergy between the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) becomes more evident every day through the development of scientific and technological advances that benefit society. This alliance will now reach outer space through a high-level collaboration aimed at proposing the design and construction of satellite technology.

Diego Alfredo Padilla Pérez, Director of the Aerospace Development Center (CDA) at the IPN, and José Francisco Valdés Galicia, Coordinator of the University Space Program (PEU), have opened the doors of their institutions to showcase the strengths both bring to the development of this technology . Together, they are working on constructing a Mexican Space Program focused on the design, construction, and operation of satellites using national technology. The project centers on a constellation of nanosatellites and microsatellites, marking the beginning of a structured aerospace endeavor in Mexico.

Padilla was joined by Brenda Escobar Méndez, Director General of the Connectivity and Infrastructure Center, and Adán Salazar Garibay, Director of Research Projects, both from the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT), as well as Marco Antonio Moreno Ibarra, Director General of Development, Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti). Together, they toured several IPN schools and centers to showcase the resources the institution can contribute to this national project.

“The different units collaborating are the School of Chemical Engineering and Extractive Industries (ESIQIE) in the area of materials, the School of Physics and Mathematics (ESFM) with mathematical models, the UPIIG (Unidades Profesionales Interdisciplinarios de Ingeniería, Campus Guanajuato) and UPIITA (‘Unidad de Tecnologías Avanzadas’) with sensor instrumentation and stability, respectively,” he said.

Other key contributors include the four campuses of the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME)—Azcapotzalco, Culhuacán, Ticomán, and Zacatenco, with the latter two having vast experience in aerospace and telecommunications talent development. Additionally, the Research Center in Computing (CIC) and the Center for Nanoscience and Micro and Nanotechnology (CNMN) are also involved.

The CDA promotes, coordinates, and monitors all efforts in aeronautics and space, from research and projects to prototypes. It began its activities in 2010 but has roots in the IPN’s Institutional Aeronautics and Space Research Program, founded in 1993.

Another function of the CDA is to foster the triple helix model of collaboration among academia, government, and industry at national and international levels. Through this model, they have worked alongside the Secretariats of Foreign Affairs, Economy, and National Defense—one notable result being the development of the Painani 1 and 2 satellites.

As a center, the CDA currently leads more than 60 aerospace projects across six main research areas: ground station, multipurpose drones, experimental rockets, high-altitude platforms, nanosatellites (including onboard computer, payload, communication, thermal control, orientation and stability, energy, structure, and an educational satellite program), and space exploration.

Aerospace technology plays a key role in scientific advancements that benefit society. The CDA coordinates the IPN’s aerospace strengths, including its robust foundation in scientific education, specialized talent training, technological infrastructure, government-industry collaboration, and project development. All these elements aim to contribute to national progress in an environment of inclusion, freedom, equity, transparency, and democracy.

Interesting Fact...

The Kármán line is the boundary proposed by aerospace engineer Theodore von Kármán to divide Earth’s atmosphere from outer space. Located 100 kilometers above sea level, this is where orbital forces exceed aerodynamic ones. At this point, aircraft can no longer generate lift through aerodynamics, and the pressure of space begins to dominate. Aerospace sciences operate across both thresholds.