The National Commission on Space Activities (Conae) is facing a critical situation due to internal tensions, budget cuts, and concerns about the direction of Argentina’s science and technology sector, according to a statement released by the Assembly of Workers on April 1. The group warned that what they describe as an ongoing “emptying” process could threaten the continuation of the National Space Plan.
The assembly said that while financial constraints are significant, their concerns go beyond budgetary issues and reflect broader debates about Argentina’s scientific and productive model. In their statement, most employees from Córdoba and some from Buenos Aires said the current challenges represent more than just funding problems.
Workers have temporarily suspended industrial action to ensure critical operations related to the Atenea mission continue. However, they clarified this decision was made for technical reasons only and does not mean their dispute has been resolved. The assembly remains on alert due to a lack of concrete agreements in key areas such as restoring budgets, securing permanent positions for contracted staff, and ensuring continuity for strategic projects.
According to their statement, Conae’s proposed 2026 budget would be 45 percent lower in real terms compared with last year. They also reported a so-called “brain drain,” with staff numbers down by 20 percent over two years because professionals are leaving for private sector jobs or moving abroad. The workers highlighted that salaries have lost more than 30 percent of their purchasing power during this period, making it harder to retain highly qualified personnel.
The document further notes delays or stoppages in strategic initiatives like Project Tronador—aimed at developing an indigenous launch vehicle—as well as postponed contracts for launching satellites under the SABIA-Mar mission and uncertainty surrounding other satellite programs. The statement includes criticism directed at leadership within Conae and VENG—the company involved in technological developments—saying: “While Conae bleeds from budget cuts, eroded salaries and loss of skilled personnel, the government is caught up in scandals that expose its supposed austerity as a sham.”
The assembly places Conae’s difficulties within a wider context affecting other scientific organizations and public universities across Argentina. They argue that reduced investment in science could deepen economic dependence while weakening sectors capable of creating skilled jobs and added value.
Among their main demands are urgent salary adjustments; regularization of employment contracts; guarantees for multi-year funding; reactivation of strategic projects; and modernization of technological infrastructure. Their statement ends with an appeal to strengthen Argentina’s science system as part of national development strategy: “[We] underline the importance of the space sector as an engine for innovation and technological sovereignty.”
