“Beyond the Sky: Space, Sovereignty and Mexico’s Strategic Positioning – BENJAMIN NAJAR”
- Nicolás Rhoads
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Season 2, Episode 8 | April 29th, 2026
Executive Summary
This episode of Altitude explores the rapidly evolving role of the space sector and its increasing relevance to national strategy, economic development, and daily life— particularly in Mexico and Latin America.
Benjamin Najar brings a rare cross-sector perspective spanning aviation, defence, and space. The discussion highlights four core realities:
Space is no longer distant: It is already embedded in everyday infrastructure— from telecommunications to navigation, agriculture, and security.
Mexico and Latin America are emerging, but not yet leading: The region participates selectively but remains dependent on global players, particularly the United States and Europe.
The real opportunity lies in integration, not isolation: Building competitive positioning requires aligning government, industry, and international partnerships rather than pursuing full autonomy.
Global programmes such as Artemis are redefining access and participation: They open tangible entry points for countries like Mexico—if strategic coordination, investment, and long-term vision are aligned.
At its core, the conversation reframes space not as an aspirational frontier, but as a strategic economic and geopolitical domain already shaping the next decade.
Full Transcript (Executive English Version)
Introduction
ARTURO: Welcome to Altitude.
Today’s episode addresses a topic that is often perceived as distant—but is, in reality, far closer and far more relevant than most people realise: space.
We are joined by Benjamin Najar, whose career path is anything but conventional. His experience spans aviation, defence, space programmes, and international cooperation. Today, he is actively involved in advancing the space industry in Mexico.
Benjamin, welcome to Altitude.
BENJAMIN: Thank you, Arturo, Nico. It’s a pleasure to be here.
NICO: Benjamin, thank you for joining us. This is a topic that is rarely discussed in Mexico with this level of depth.
Block 1 — Career Path
ARTURO: Your career is clearly non-linear. You have moved across aviation, defence, and space.
How does one build a profile like that?
NICO: Did this begin as a personal interest early on, or did it evolve over time?
ARTURO: There is a difference between being interested in space and actually entering the sector.
At what point did you make that transition?
NICO: And from Mexico, how challenging is that path, given the relatively limited ecosystem?
Block 2 — Industry in Mexico & Latin America
ARTURO: Let’s step back and look at the broader picture. Where does the aerospace—and particularly the space—industry stand today in Mexico and Latin America?
NICO: Are we truly participating, or are we still largely observers?
ARTURO: Within the region, who is leading? Brazil, Mexico, or others?
NICO: When you engage with global stakeholders—NASA, ESA, international forums—how is Mexico perceived? As a serious player, or still as a potential future participant?
Block 3 — Societal Impact
ARTURO: Space often feels abstract, almost science fiction. Yet in reality, it underpins much of daily life.
NICO: Exactly—people think of rockets, but not of their smartphones.
ARTURO: Help us ground this. What are the tangible, everyday benefits of the space sector?
NICO: Where do we see its impact without even realising it?
ARTURO: And in critical areas—security, agriculture, monitoring—what role does it play?
Block 4 — Dependency vs Independence
ARTURO: A direct question: in space capabilities today, who do we depend on? NICO: Primarily the United States? Europe? Others?
ARTURO: Realistically, is there any country in Latin America—Mexico included—that has a credible path toward independence?
NICO: Or is the more viable strategy to integrate into global value chains rather than lead them?
ARTURO: If Mexico decided to build meaningful sovereign capabilities tomorrow, what is the real constraint? Capital, talent, strategic vision, or political will?
Block 5 — FEMIA and Institutional Role
ARTURO: You currently serve as Vice President of the Space Commission at FEMIA. Many may not even be aware of this organisation. What is FEMIA, and what does this commission do?
NICO: What does it actually deliver in practice?
ARTURO: More broadly, how does the ecosystem function in Mexico? When discussing space, who are the key stakeholders?
NICO: Government, agencies, private sector?
ARTURO: And critically—are these actors aligned, or operating in silos?
Block 6 — Artemis Programme
ARTURO: Let’s close with a programme that is shaping the future. Explain in simple terms—what is Artemis?
NICO: And what differentiates it from Apollo?
ARTURO: From a regional perspective, where does Latin America fit into this?
NICO: Are there real opportunities, or are we simply observers once again?
ARTURO: If Artemis unfolds as planned, what concrete opportunities could emerge for Mexico?
Closing
ARTURO: Benjamin, today you helped us understand something that often feels distant—but is already deeply embedded in our present, and even more so in our future. Thank you for joining us.
NICO: Thank you, Benjamin. This has been an excellent discussion. For our audience, this is a topic that is only just beginning to take shape in our region—and one worth following closely. Stay with us for more conversations like this.
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