AFSOUTH and the Colombian Air Force Partner for Astronomical Success during World Space Week

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Guillermo Poveda, Colombian Air Force Space Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Eliana Mallarino, Senior Space Advisor to the Vice President, and NASA Astronaut Col. Michael Hopkins meet with students from the Colombian “She is Astronaut” program on Oct. 4, 2022.  

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

10.04.2022

Courtesy Story

Air Forces Southern

A NASA Astronaut served as a goodwill ambassador for space during a World Space Week visit to Colombia Oct. 4-6. Col. Michael “Hopper” Hopkins, U. S. Space Force officer and NASA astronaut, spoke at half a dozen space-themed engagements at schools and museums throughout the country as part of Air Forces Southern Commander Maj. Gen. Evan Pettus’ initiative to build a coalition of independent, like-minded countries who view space as a protection-worthy resource for all. A veteran of two International Space Station missions, Hopkins shared his message of inspiration with students, military service members, and Francia Márquez, the newly-elected Colombian Vice President.

In her talks with Hopkins, Márquez communicated her vision to empower underserved and remote Colombian populations with space-based internet capabilities. Having run on a platform of environmental conservation, Márquez stressed the role of space to detect threats to the Colombian environment. Hopkins noted that Colombia was a recent signatory of the Artemis Accords for international cooperation to explore Mars for the good of humanity. He emphasized the commitment NASA and United States Southern Command to being excellent partners as Colombia develops its space capabilities to address a wide variety of challenges and opportunities.

World Space Week, celebrated by more than 90 countries each October, shines a spotlight on Colombia’s pivot toward a technology- and space-driven economy and military. “Colombia’s Space Week is a snapshot into one of our key allies’ and mission partners’ rapid development as a space-capable country and Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Whitaker, Director of Space Forces for U. S. Southern Command. “Colombia has set a national goal to transform their Air Force into a true aerospace force as they field a multi-satellite constellation by 2042 and their first astronaut as early as the year 2030.”

The Colombian Air Force used Space Week to showcase their role as a regional Women, Peace, and Security leader. Events at Bogotá Planetarium featured Colombia’s National Women in STEM initiative, “She is Astronaut,” a program that encourages young women to pursue STEM and astronautics careers. During a forum with women from the program, Hopkins championed the contributions of his female ISS crewmates and encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

At Colombia’s Air Force Academy, Escuela Militar de Aviación, cadets grilled Hopkins about what it would take for them to become astronauts. “It is worth it, but it is going to be hard work,” Hopkins said. “You must be a life-long learner and a great team player. Going to space is not about you – it’s about the Air Force, your community, and your nation.”
“Space week is the icing on the cake of a great year of collaboration between the [U. S. Southern Command] team and our Colombian Air Force space partners,” Whitaker said. “We are looking forward to partnering with Colombia during the 2023 RESOLUTE SENTINEL combat exercise. This will be the first time we will bring U.S. Space Force mission systems to the country, extending the Space Force’s global reach for the defense of space while building the capacity of a major regional ally.”

• Date Taken: 10.04.2022
• Date Posted: 10.12.2022 13:37
• Story ID: 431141
• Location: BOGOTA, CO