Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Environmental Authorization for Space Antenna

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BUENOS AIRES, Feb 22 2010 (IPS) - An antenna from the European Space Agency (ESA) in the western Argentine province of Mendoza to study the cosmos and climate change will not be harmful to the surroundings, states an environmental impact study. An antenna from the European Space Agency (ESA) in the western Argentine province of Mendoza to study the cosmos and climate change will not be harmful to the surroundings, states an environmental impact study.

The antenna will be built in Malargüe and will be the third of its kind in the world, after one in Australia and another in Spain, which have been operating for eight and five years, respectively.

According to Argentine engineer Roberto Franciosi, ESA representative, it is a “sound” project that “will permit the study of deep space and of climate changes” of the planet.

The agreement between ESA, the Argentine government and the Mendoza provincial government establishes that the province will provide the infrastructure for the installation. Construction, which means an investment of 55 million dollars, will be carried out by local companies.