Advancing U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: Enabling Space Cooperation with Peru, IVLP

As space becomes the next frontier for technological collaboration, the United States is deepening partnerships with key allies such as Peru to ensure a shared, secure vision for the future of space. On March 27th, the U.S. Department of State hosted eight Peruvian civil and military officials at Meridian International Center to launch the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled: Enabling Space Cooperation with Peru.  

The 12-day exchange program brought key space sector stakeholders to the United States to explore American successes in space sector innovation. Led by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented with support from Meridian and Cultural Vistas, the program built upon the significance of the Artemis Accords, which Peru signed on to in May 2024. The United States and seven other countries established the Artemis Accords in 2020 to serve as a set of practical principles to guide responsible space exploration.  

This IVLP exchange fostered partnership development between the participants and leaders across the U.S. space sector and enhanced Peru’s technological and workforce development, opening up new opportunities for joint collaboration in support of U.S. strategic interests in the region.  

The group travelled to Washington, DC; Cape Canaveral, FL; and Los Angeles, CA where their U.S. counterparts and local experts showcased American private sector contributions and partnership opportunities in space initiatives, technologies, and research. 

American Partnerships for Greater Space Cooperation

As a global leader in aerospace business, exploration, and commerce, the state of Florida is a major contributor to American space prosperity. In Cape Canaveral, the participants visited Space Florida, a public corporation that serves as a single point of contact for state-related space functions. Space Florida increases investment activity in Florida and maximizes the capacity and capability of the spaceport system to leverage strategic partnerships that span across the globe. Participants met with experts to discuss Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility, a hub for aerospace innovation that includes a 15,000-foot runway for exploration research, manufacturing, and testing. Space Florida also highlighted its work with CAE USA, headquartered in Tampa, to provide training and simulation services ranging from defense operations to space launches. Space Florida provided a valuable example of American interoperability between public and private sectors that can enhance cooperation with international allies. 

U.S. Innovative Space Technologies and Research

Innovative technologies assistance was a key topic of interest for the participants and U.S. space sector leaders. As an example, one participant emphasized Peru’s interest in telescope development and acquisition as a priority because of the country’s advantageous mountainous topography. In Los Angeles, the group met with Astranis Space Technologies Corporation, which provides resilient GPS satellite systems to commercial and government clients. Astranis works with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide high-orbit satellites for use across multiple mission areas. To further demonstrate America’s technical excellence and safety standards, the participants then met with the Aerospace Corporation, which directly supports the U.S. Space Force’s operational readiness through research in science, engineering, technology, and intelligence.  

Facilitating discussion and technical exchange with U.S. allies on space cooperation strengthens our national security, promotes economic prosperity, and ensures that the United States remains the global leader in space for years to come.  

Written by Kate Klygis, Senior Program Associate