The proposed project is related to the development of a microsatellite platform (50-70 kg) for research purposes. The first stage in the collaboration between the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) included the technical specification and conceptual design through the definition of mission requirements and early-stage development of spacecraft subsystems. The mission is to monitor air pollutant concentrations in urban areas from LEO orbit. Air pollution is one of the main problems urban environments face today. A key aspect in mitigating negative effects of pollution on society, in particular in highly populated areas such as Mexico City, resides in understanding how contaminants accumulate and disperse under diverse conditions, through modeling and tracking of different pollutants in the air. Currently, this task is performed by ground systems, and missions from NASA and ESA, which does not provide coverage on frequency and timing needed for Mexico City and other urban concentrations in Latin-America. Furthermore, the information processing is sometimes cumbersome and the development cost is prohibitive for non-space fairing nations in a mission like ENVISAT. Project proposal contributes methodological and systems approach for a microsatellite platform of Mexican design for scientific research. Project is joint collaboration with MIT and funding will be obtained from Mexican sources. Furtherinstitutions from Mexico will be involved. The goal is to speed up collaboration by student exchange, mirroring groups in a dedicated task force. The timing of this collaboration is ideal, since Mexico will organize and start to operate its recently created space agency.
Russia has strong experience, leadership and in the field of aerospace, as well as a history of successful cooperation with Mexican universities. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) established a solid relationship during the development of the UNAMSAT project 1996. In 2007 that triggered the decision to start a technical scientific cooperation program signed with the Russian Federation, the satellite project "CONDOR UNAM-MAI", with scientific and educational purposes, in which Russian participation is coordinated by the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). The UNAM project coordination is performed by the Faculty of Engineering with the aim of developing the foundations for establishing a long term academic program in spatial engineering. On the other hand, the MAI is intended to assist UNAM and other Mexican institutions by developing its space engineering program through postgraduate studies in the Russian Federation, plus the addition of a satellite project with benefits for both nations. The experiment for detecting ionospheric earthquake precursors as the primary mission was selected, and the project started.Currently the project has expanded and includes more institutions from both countries and the Central University of Taiwan to contribute with scientific instrumentation for the formation of the satellite payload.
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