A brief history of space development in the country: Colombia on the space frontier, from the first cubesat to planetary defense

Abstract

This document traces the evolution of the Colombian space sector from its origins in 1803 with the founding of the first astronomical observatory in the Americas to current advancements in planetary defense and space diplomacy. Key milestones include the launch of the Libertad 1 satellite (2007) and FACSAT-2 (2023), the creation of the Colombian Space Commission (2006), Colombia's accession to the Artemis Accords (2022), and its entry into the International Asteroid Warning Network (2025). The text highlights a growing scientific community, postgraduate academic programs, infrastructure projects such as the national radio telescope, and a call to transform space development into a state policy with high-level institutional support.