Satellite CONDOR UNAM-MAI: Technical scientific cooperation

Russia has strong experience, leadership and in the field of aerospace, as well as a history of successful cooperation with Mexican universities. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) established a solid relationship during the development of the UNAMSAT project 1996. In 2007 that triggered the decision to start a technical scientific cooperation program signed with the Russian Federation, the satellite project "CONDOR UNAM-MAI", with scientific and educational purposes, in which Russian participation is coordinated by the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). The UNAM project coordination is performed by the Faculty of Engineering with the aim of developing the foundations for establishing a long term academic program in spatial engineering. On the other hand, the MAI is intended to assist UNAM and other Mexican institutions by developing its space engineering program through postgraduate studies in the Russian Federation, plus the addition of a satellite project with benefits for both nations. The experiment for detecting ionospheric earthquake precursors as the primary mission was selected, and the project started. Currently the project has expanded and includes more institutions from both countries and the Central University of Taiwan to contribute with scientific instrumentation for the formation of the satellite payload.