HISTORY OF SPACE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN CHILE
Many of the things am about to describe may seem commonplace to developed country. However am counting on your comprehension to understand that they happened in Chile an underdeveloped country, far apart from the great Centers of Research and Development of Space Science.
However, only 3 years after the Sputnik launching the University of Chile, backed by NASA, established the first Satellite Tracking Station in the city of Antofagasta.
A mention has to be made of some pioneers in these space matters. Am referring to Mr. Eduardo Díaz, an electronic engineer and current Director of the Center for Space Studies in the University of Chile. He just completed 42 years of labor in that center, where several generations of Tracking Experts were born and many Satellite and Spaceship missions received ground support.
One of the first space education activities was organized and directed by an extraordinary Austrian lady. Dr. Grete Mostny Glasser.
She arrived to Chile in 1940 escaping of Second War World. After 20 years to work hard, she became Director of the Natural History Museum of Chile. She organized young people in a group called the Scientific Youth of Chile.
In October 1977, the first Chilean mini-rocket, entirely designed and built by youngsters took off from the Museum grounds. Although the engine only reached 30 meters altitude, it represented the hopes of many young people interested in Space Science in the seventies.
Later, inspired in Frau Grete’s example, new groups were created in the different universities and in the Chilean Air Force. In 1980 the Center of Aeronautic Studies was born. In the year 2000 the Chilean Space Association to which I belong, was created. In 2001 AstroChile was founded and finally, the Chilean Space Agency.
Rockets December 2001, Santiago, Chile