COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –
U.S. Space Command leaders met with representatives from Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru to strengthen and expand space cooperation among partner nations in the Western Hemisphere during Space Symposium 39, April 8-11, 2024.
The Space Foundation’s annual event welcomes space professionals from around the world to plan for the future of space activities and promote greater synergy across the space enterprise. In addition to participation in Space Symposium’s programming with keynote remarks, panel discussions, and media engagements, the impressive international turnout offers USSPACECOM the opportunity to fill the week with invaluable discussions alongside global Allies and Partners congregated in a single location.
To kick off the week’s international engagements, U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, USSPACECOM commander, and Gen. Luis H. De León Pepelescov, Chief of the Uruguayan Air Force, signed a Space Situational Awareness information sharing agreement. USSPACECOM’s more-than 185 SSA agreements include partners from the commercial sector, academia, and foreign and intergovernmental organizations.
On the final day of Symposium, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, USSPACECOM director of strategy, plans and policy, and Maj. Gen. Eric Cólen, Brazilian Space Operations Center commander, signed an arrangement to assign a Brazilian liaison officer to USSPACECOM. The liaison officer will provide Brazilian armed forces expertise and will serve as the national representative for all aspects of USSPACECOM-Brazilian cooperation with regard to the military use of space.
In addition to these agreements, Whiting and U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sergeant Jacob Simmons, USSPACECOM command senior enlisted leader, participated in bilateral engagements with the Colombian Air Force, and the Peruvian Air Force on the following day to discuss the importance of space cooperation and responsible behaviors among spacefaring nations.
Strengthening partnerships among spacefaring nations promotes safe and sustainable space activities to ensure space remains accessible to future generations’ exploration and benefit.