Colombia is making significant strides in the development of its first environmental satellite, with the Universidad Compensar officially joining the initiative. This project is spearheaded by the Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca (CAR) and the Agencia Espacial Colombiana (AEC), aiming to enhance environmental monitoring through space technology.
The project, which is a pioneering effort in Colombia, emerged from agreements made during the International Summit on Sustainability and Environmental Innovation 2025, held in Bogotá from September 9 to 11. During this summit, the CAR and AEC formalized collaboration agreements with the Space Center of the United Arab Emirates and the Norwegian Space Agency (NORSA), intending to combine international knowledge with local capabilities for real-time environmental monitoring from space.
According to the involved organizations, preliminary phases of studies and satellite design have already commenced. This satellite is expected to bolster environmental observation efforts and enhance territorial management. The goal is to establish a vital tool for protecting Colombia”s natural heritage and making data-driven decisions based on precise information obtained from Earth”s orbit.
A technical visit to Universidad Compensar took place as part of these advancements, evaluating the institution”s technological innovation and development capabilities. With approximately 66 specialized laboratories, Compensar is set to be a strategic partner in testing materials, cameras, and components for the satellite.
During the visit, experts from CAR and AEC assessed the available infrastructure and equipment necessary for designing and assembling the system, as well as the technical conditions required to integrate terrestrial navigation systems with orbital systems. This collaboration between academia, environmental institutions, and the technology industry is fundamental to this initiative, which aims to create a knowledge network dedicated to sustainability.
The director of the Environmental Innovation Laboratory at CAR, Carlos Emilio Gutiérrez, emphasized the importance of translating the agreements made at the summit into actionable steps. He stated, “As we announced at the summit, our alliances must transition from discourse to action, meaning we will combine our efforts and capabilities with international experience and the research methodologies and infrastructure of academia, specifically Universidad Compensar.”
Gutiérrez also highlighted that such projects not only enhance environmental management but also represent progress in positioning Colombia scientifically and technologically. The involvement of universities focused on innovation ensures the quality and technical viability of each phase of the project.
On the same day, technical teams from CAR, AEC, and the university discussed the requirements to advance system integration and plan experimental trials to define the satellite”s final structure. Gutiérrez noted that the objective is to have the final structure ready within two years, marking an unprecedented milestone for an environmental authority in Colombia. “We will move forward steadily in the studies, designs, assembly, and testing of the satellite”s final structure, which we expect to have ready in less than two years, thereby fulfilling our commitment to being the first environmental authority in the country with a satellite monitoring system for the protection and conservation of our natural heritage,” he concluded.
This project signifies a new chapter in the integration of science, academia, and environmental policy. Furthermore, it reinforces the commitment of CAR and the AEC to place Colombia on the map of countries employing space technology for environmental purposes.
