On May 14, 2026, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies hosted the webinar “New Space, New Frontiers: Commercial Power and Strategic Implications for Latin America,” featuring citizen astronaut, space educator, and former NASA engineer Katya Echazarreta. Moderated by Perry Center Professor Arturo Sotomayor, the webinar brought together members of the Perry Center alumni community from across Latin America and the Caribbean to explore the growing strategic importance of the space domain in the Western Hemisphere.
Echazarreta discussed the emergence of the “New Space” sector and its implications for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting opportunities ranging from prospective launch sites to commercial, civilian, and national security applications. Drawing on her experience as a NASA engineer and participant in one of Blue Origin’s early crewed missions, she examined pathways for military and civilian professionals to engage with the rapidly expanding space industry.
The discussion also addressed the policy and regulatory challenges facing the region. Echazarreta highlighted her advocacy efforts in Mexico to advance constitutional and regulatory reforms that recognize space as a strategic sector open to private investment. She further reflected on how the 2025 US National Security Strategy frames space as a multidomain arena encompassing military, commercial, and industrial activity, emphasizing the need for greater space domain awareness and international cooperation.
The webinar attracted 455 registrations and reached a peak audience of 348 participants during the live session, demonstrating strong interest in the strategic importance of the space domain across Latin America and the Caribbean. The level of participation underscored the growing relevance of space-related issues among civilian and military professionals throughout the hemisphere.
The Perry Center extends its sincere appreciation to Katya Echazarreta for sharing her expertise and insights, as well as to Professor Arturo Sotomayor for moderating the discussion. The Center also recognizes the invaluable support of Chief Technology Officer Raul Neine, whose efforts were essential to the successful execution of the webinar, and thanks to the Associate Director of Outreach and Admissions Kara O’Ryan and Alumni Affairs Coordinator Georgina Crovetto for their dedication in coordinating outreach and engagement with the Perry Center alumni community.
