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This article is adapted from AQ’s special report | Leer en español | Ler em português
Earlier this year, Brazil’s telecommunications agency Anatel officially authorized SpaceSail, a broadband constellation often described as China’s equivalent to Starlink, to operate in Brazilian territory. The announcement didn’t generate many headlines, but it deserves more attention. Not because it was a statement about China, but because it was a statement about the region’s desire for options.
Across Latin America, professionals in the space industry are consistently advocating for solutions with sovereignty in mind. Chile’s 2025 National Space Policy calls for national space capabilities to “strengthen autonomy and independence.” Argentina’s defense doctrine reinforces a desire for independent launch access, viewed as a vital component of national defense and sovereignty. A technical working group in Brazil is studying options for a sovereign alternative to the systems that provide position, navigation and timing (PNT) services. And so on.
The autonomy agenda in Latin America is not inherently anti-U.S., nor is it pro-Chinese. It is also not unique to the region. European leaders have the same concerns and are attempting to balance what is nationally developed with what is sourced via partners or the international market. This is not only a function of geopolitics but a response to a sharper awareness of vulnerability and the need for resilience.
