"Chile unveiled its first-ever National Space Centre (CEN) in Cerrillos, Santiago, on Monday, a hub for space technology aimed at advancing the country's independent development and promoting Chile as a regional leader in South America. The inauguration was led by President Gabriel Boric, alongside officials and officers of the Chilean Air Force. Footage shows Boric touring the facility with officials, inspecting advanced equipment and delivering a speech. Air Force personnel were seen operating the control centre, while space models and satellites were displayed throughout the CEN. "Space today presents itself as fertile ground for international cooperation, where common challenges can be addressed jointly [...] space is no longer a distant territory, it is a possible place," said Boric. "We are going to be building nine satellites in the short term that will help fishing, help protect the ocean when ships cause oil spills, help us during fire seasons, help us in agriculture, and, of course, in education," he continued. Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Hugo Rodriguez, stressed that the CEN will drive Chile's progress through its human resources and cooperation between the state and society. "It represents a Chile that does not settle for keeping pace with the world, but instead decides to be the protagonist of its own future," he emphasised. The CEN, spanning 5,800 square metres (1.43 acres), has been under construction since May 2024. The $34 million facility aims to advance space technology research and development in Chile, while also serving as a hub for South American countries to strengthen their space programmes through multilateral cooperation, according to local media."