IPN to Make Historic Connection with the International Space Station

Reporter: Mónica Valladolid / Photos: Archive

For the first time in history, students in Mexico will have a live conversation with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), thanks to a groundbreaking initiative led by the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). The event will take place at the "Luis Enrique Erro" Planetarium in collaboration with the IPN’s Aerospace Development Center (CDA) and the Interdisciplinary Professional Unit in Engineering and Advanced Technologies (UPIITA).

The connection will be established through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), an international educational program that enables students and the general public to engage in real-time communication with astronauts via amateur radio.

This milestone marks the first direct contact from Mexican territory with the ISS, without relying on relay antennas located in other countries. The event will take place during the week of September 29 and represents a significant step forward in Mexico’s development of space communication capabilities.

The IPN’s Aerospace Development Center (CDA) will provide the specialized ground antenna required to establish direct contact with the ISS, while UPIITA will support the system’s installation and operation. During this historic broadcast, a selected group of students will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact live with astronauts in orbit. In previous ARISS events in Mexico, connections were made through a “telebridge”, where ground stations in other countries relayed the signal while students in Mexico participated remotely. This upcoming direct contact signals a new era in national technological autonomy and space communication infrastructure.

This pioneering initiative highlights the IPN’s commitment to scientific outreach and its mission to inspire future generations through aerospace science, technology, and innovation.