BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Mexico can play an important role in the United States’ space exploration efforts.
That’s the view of Judith Arrieta Munguía, the Mexican consul in Brownsville. Arrieta was a panelist at a Brownsville Chamber of Commerce luncheon titled “Crossing Borders and Beyond – The Impact of U.S.-Mexico Relations and Space Exploration in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The panel was moderated by Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. In response to a question to Arrieta, Hamer said one of the “great developments” of recent years is that Mexico has become the United States’ top trading partner. He attributed this in part to nearshoring.
Arrieta agreed, saying trade between the two countries will be worth nearly $900 billion in 2023.
“Nearshoring is a win-win because nearshoring is coming to North America and space allows us to see North America without borders. If we were up there in a rocket, that’s how we would see North America,” Arrieta said.
“What is our place in space? We have around 400 companies that produce for France, for European countries, etc., and of course for the USA. And we are now the 12th largest exporter of aerospace parts in the world. And we are involved in research for low-flying satellites.”
Arrieta emphasized the importance of human capital.
“Without the minds of young and creative people, you can’t build these beautiful rockets. That’s why we’re investing in them,” Arrieta said, referring to a video shown earlier by Kathryn Lueders, general manager of SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica.
“So, yes, we can collaborate with Texas and the Valley here, because right next door in Matamoros we have a great technical university. In addition to these science centers, there is of course Monterrey, Queretaro, but also other places.”
Other panelists included Lueders of SpaceX, Norman Roy Garza, Jr., executive director of the Texas Space Commission, and Helen Ramirez, Brownsville city manager.
Editor’s Note: Here is an audio recording of everything Judith Arrieta Munguía said during the panel discussion at the Brownsville Chamber event:
