Neri Vela on the demolition of the EMA: 15 years of space research will be lost (Video)

MEXICO CITY ( Proceso ).- The disappearance of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), so that its functions are attached to the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT), is an inefficient and unfair decision for Mexican youth who will train the next generations of scientists in research, exploration of the universe, development of technology and dissemination of science and will become only a task of procedures, warns the first Mexican astronaut, Rodolfo Neri Vela.

It would also mean the loss of 15 years of effort by Mexican scientists who have contributed to the country and the world.

The main promoter of the agency's creation in 2010 told Proceso that all members of the AEM were taken by surprise by the government's decision because none of them were consulted by President Claudia Sheinbaum and only learned about the matter after it was announced.

"There was no dialogue. I know the Mexican Space Agency very well, the people who work there, and they were surprised because, overnight, they learned of all these plans to disappear, absorb, strengthen, or whatever you want to call it," he declared.

The first representative of a Latin American country on a NASA mission is emphatic: "The AEM was not consulted at any point by candidate Sheinbaum, President Sheinbaum, Secretary Rosaura Ruiz, or the leader of the ATDT. They were not consulted until after it was announced it would be absorbed, after it was transferred from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation to the ATDT."

Until then, the government had engaged with the Mexican Space Agency, albeit in a very brief meeting of barely an hour, during which they had to present Mexico's entire space program.

"Imagine an hour explaining what's been done in 15 years, what needs to be done. Obviously, that reflects a lack of interest, a lack of attention," he said.

Uncertainty arose after the resignation of engineer Salvador Landeros as director of the Agency was made public on January 29th, with the argument that "it has not been given the importance it deserves, neither budgetarily nor administratively, when it should be the integrating and articulating body for Mexico's space activities."

I expressed concern to José Antonio Peña Merino, head of the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT), but what happened instead was that "I was informed that it would disappear, which I consider unfortunate given all the work it took to create it," Landeros said in his statement.

On the same day he submitted his resignation, the Mexican government issued a statement stating: "One of the main purposes of the ATDT is to unify the government's technological capabilities to generate autonomy and develop its own solutions. To this end, the General Satellite Directorate was created, which will integrate the responsibilities of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT), as established by the ATDT's Internal Regulations."

After this resignation letter and the statement, the head of the Federal Executive branch stated: "It's not disappearing, it's strengthening. What's happening is that it's changing its name [although moments before, she said a new agency was being created], by merging two areas related to this issue. And if Dr. Landeros wants to continue participating, he's welcome, whether as a coordinator or as an advisor outside the agency," even though he wasn't considered for the changes.

They also discussed promoting satellite projects around 2028-2029.

For Neri Vela, PhD in Applied Electromagnetism from the University of Birmingham, England, this raises an alarm and dates back to the time when he was working towards the creation of the AEM, from the beginning of Carlos Salinas de Gortari's six-year term, when he encountered the position of the then Secretary of Communications and Transportation, Andrés Caso, to whom he explained the need to evolve after several years since the launch of the Morelos satellites:

Mr. Caso, I believe it's very important to continue conducting research and developing technology. He gave me a very strange look, and his response left me speechless: "Dr. Neri, I'm here as a secretary to provide services. I'm not here to develop technology."

Neri cited that experience to apply it to what he is sure will happen with the ATDT in charge of these missions, because its focus is on providing services.

For the doctor, the government's objectives in this sector could focus on launching a satellite, which would be a distraction from everything the EMA could continue to generate.

What's the rush?

"They're going to be careless with very complex projects (...) I thought the Bicentenario satellite had a limited amount of fuel to continue operating for another three or four years. But I investigated and was informed by people who know, Mexsat engineers, that it has been used extremely efficiently and that, although its design life would end in three years, they calculate, based on the hydrazine stored for orbit corrections, that the satellite can last another eight years. So what's the rush to launch a new satellite?" he questions the government.

For the first Mexican astronaut, in these times and in this sector, "an environment of great uncertainty is being created, not only among the scientific and academic community, but also among business leaders."

Although the engineer believes the Executive Branch has probably already made a decision and "will not budge," he is forceful in his message to the Legislative Branch:

“Don't let the Mexican Space Agency die. Leave it as it is and allocate it a more decent budget so it can carry out projects in conjunction with other space agencies around the world and so that young people no longer feel disillusioned and dream of moving to other countries to develop their talents. Frankly, I don't understand why the AEM budget is a far cry from the budget allocated to the ATDT. Leave it decentralized.”

This government's decision and the silence of higher research institutions, science academies, and engineering academies "frankly surprises and saddens me, because we invest a lot of time and energy, prepare presentations, and travel to different states to hold consultation forums," especially because "it's absurd" that it comes from someone with a scientific background, like President Sheinbaum Pardo.

The doctor explains some of his considerations as to why the AEM was not consulted directly, which was "irresponsible and constituted poor advice."

I believe that many leaders in the higher education sector have known about this plan for several months and have kept it more or less secret in order to divide up some projects. And that's also why they're keeping quiet; they're not saying anything.

The idea that the legislature could prevent the plan from being implemented remains, but if this doesn't work, "I think it will have a high political cost for President Sheinbaum and Morena, because young people at the top level will say, well, if the Mexican Space Agency is just evolving, why should they eliminate it? And now they won't have anywhere else to turn. They'll have to go knocking on doors and windows at the ATDT to see if they'll listen."

He also calls for national consultations with the scientific community, science academies, and engineering academies, "so that these matters are no longer handled in secret."

He supported López Obrador

Astronaut Neri Vela is remembered for his support of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's candidacy , an issue that drew criticism and led to disagreements with other prominent figures. However, he never met him, despite his pioneering achievements in his field since 1985. "He didn't even invite me for coffee at the National Palace."

“I thought—mistakenly, as I realize now—that supporting López Obrador's candidacy would increase support for scientific research, but no, it all turned out the other way around. And I was attacked on social media by many people who didn't dismiss me as a chairo and an idiot.”

Another highlight was his support for the presidential campaign of former Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum, who even used one of the engineer's public statements.

On April 4, 2024, the current president published a video on her X account where Neri is seen at a conference among young people, where she put aside her presentation on science to express her electoral preference:

"We're going to have a scientist president," followed by a moment of silence, before the engineer emphasized, "Whether you like it or not," seeking applause and support from the students in attendance. He continued, "As a candidate, you already said, you promised in the Zócalo a few days ago, that Mexico will put a new satellite into orbit."

After the video published by the now federal president, the message appeared: "June 2nd, vote for Claudia Sheinbaum, president" and the message the then candidate dedicated to her: "Thank you, Rodolfo. We will continue making Mexico the best country in the world."

Neri's prediction came true: a scientist took the presidency, but with her came one of the unexpected decisions.

“I thought, when I was a presidential candidate, that having a scientific background would improve things, and I'm very disappointed, at least on the space issue. I feel like she hasn't been well advised, because they didn't even consult the Mexican Space Agency. I don't know Claudia Sheinbaum personally either. She hasn't invited me for coffee either, and I don't think she'll ever listen to me.”

Five years ago, then-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard sought out Neri Vela to ask if it was feasible to create the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), which actually materialized in 2021. At the time, the expert endorsed the benefits of cooperation between countries, but even more importantly, it was important for each nation to maintain, operate, and have a budget for its internal strategic projects.

"In Mexico's case, that's how it should be. (Now) how are you going to participate in a Latin American space agency if you're disappearing your national agency? It's absurd."

“I'm already retired”

The scientist also reflected: "How does it affect me? Not at all. Because I'm already retired, retired from UNAM. I dedicate myself to giving lectures, consulting, and I plan to write more popular science books. I'm not an employee of the Mexican Space Agency, nor do I have contracts with any federal or state agency. Simply put, as a Mexican citizen and promoter of space technology, I urge the federal government and the legislature not to ruin this effort. Let's see if it can be achieved."

Although he admits he doesn't have much hope, he thinks that "someone has to come forward to defend us," because there are those who "are seeking multi-million-dollar consulting contracts, but they don't want to touch the federal government with even a flower petal, lest they be blacklisted." On the other hand, "it makes me very sad that this year, which is the fortieth anniversary of space travel, they are thinking of demolishing the Mexican Space Agency, which took so much work to create."

The idea of ​​modifying the AEM translates into the risk of diluting or dissolving it within a department whose very name generates distrust, due to all the areas and departments that would be left in limbo.

From general communications, to those related to the design of antennas, transmitters, and the use of new frequencies for interplanetary communications and for communications with robots on the lunar surface; also, to propulsion systems and research into new fuels, new types of engines, technologies for propelling satellites, robots, interplanetary probes, and rockets. Other areas relate to launch pads, materials, telemetry, and control centers, as well as those dedicated to scientific research and space medicine.

"Do you think the ATDT is going to do research in space medicine? Then it's absurd that they want to transfer it to the ATDT's General Satellite Directorate."

The budget was one of the scenarios that transformed since its creation. At that time, before the Chamber of Deputies, he explained that to fulfill his duties, $100 million was needed, "a very modest amount compared to what Spain or Brazil allocates, but I believe, with great respect, that the deputies of that time, who thought the parity with the dollar was one to one, gave him 100 million pesos instead of $100 million."

In recent years, instead of increasing the budget to meet inflation and strengthen the agency, the budget has been cut in half, unlike 15 years ago, while also reducing staff at almost the same level. "We're going backwards; instead of forwards, we're going backwards. Less budget, less staff, and ultimately, disappearance," with researchers and scientists facing uncertainty.

Faced with this situation, the astronaut concludes with the phrase: "A country that doesn't have its own technology is destined for mediocrity. Not just mediocrity, but eternal dependence on the outside."