AGP Executive Report

Mars Science: China’s Zhurong rover has identified the first primary evaporites on Mars—large selenite gypsum crystals formed from ancient concentrated brine about 757 million years ago—tightening the story of preserved Martian water chemistry. Chile Environment: New research finds seamounts in Chile’s Juan Fernández Archipelago are still degraded 25 years after bottom trawling, with sea urchins likely blocking coral recovery. Space & Astronomy (Chile-linked): Telescopes in Chile (ESO’s Very Large Telescope) detected sodium and lithium signatures from a suspected SpaceX Falcon 9 impact on the Moon, with scientists waiting for clearer crater images. Energy Storage (Chile angle): Grenergy’s battery storage pipeline includes Chile and Spain, and Germany’s market is shifting toward clearer rules as grid-connection demand outpaced regulators. Health Tech: A hospital in Longview performed its first Ion robotic bronchoscopy to biopsy hard-to-reach lung nodules, aiming for earlier, more precise lung cancer diagnosis. Mining/Tech: NTT DOCOMO Business and CODELCO launched a proof-of-concept to improve remote copper mine operations using IOWN APN tech.

Space Tech (Chile-linked): South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter captured before-and-after images of a stray SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impact on the Moon, while ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile confirmed the event via sodium and lithium “chemical fingerprints” in the debris plume—an international dataset for tracking lunar craters and space debris. Local Industry & Connectivity: NTT DOCOMO Business and CODELCO launched a study and proof of concept using IOWN All-Photonics Network to enable remote operations at a copper mine, linking a mine site to a control center about 1,500 km away with high-capacity, low-latency links and HD monitoring. Astronomy Data (Chile): SDSS-V released DR20, expanding Milky Way Mapper with spectra from Apache Point Observatory and Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, including a first large public dataset from the Halo Program. AI for Telescopes: A new AI system helps astronomers pick better targets on major telescopes, aiming to reduce wasted observing nights. Chile Tech/Startups: Ticketplus priced its IPO for NYSE American trading under “TP,” signaling continued tech investment momentum in Latin America.

Lunar Science in Chile: A defunct SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the Moon near Einstein Crater on Aug. 5, and Chile-based telescopes (ESO’s Very Large Telescope) detected a short-lived sodium-and-lithium plume, giving researchers a rare look at how rocket debris interacts with lunar dust. Astronomy & AI: An AI system helped astronomers pick better telescope targets on clear nights, boosting how efficiently scarce observing time gets used. Planet Formation: ALMA observations of the young triple-star system GW Orionis show a one-trillion-mile gas streamer feeding the system and likely tilting the outer planet-forming disk. Climate Risk: A report says warming made Canada’s recent wildfire conditions at least twice as likely, with extreme fire weather now returning far more often. Chile Conservation: On Robinson Crusoe Island, seeds from the last wild Dendroseris tree were used to grow new seedlings at England’s Millennium Seed Bank, aiming for eventual habitat restoration. Marine Governance: Rapa Nui is co-managing a 700,000+ sq km marine sanctuary, securing international backing to strengthen enforcement.

Space Science (Chile-linked): ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile detected “chemical fingerprints” from a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impact on the Moon, spotting sodium and lithium spectral lines in a debris plume lasting 5–10 minutes after the crash near Einstein Crater—an event scientists had predicted after the rocket drifted off course. Space Debris & Safety: Researchers say the collision adds to “lunar litter” concerns as more missions head to the Moon; NASA and other teams plan follow-up imaging to confirm crater size and assess hazards. Local Tech/Industry: NTT DOCOMO Business and Chile’s CODELCO launched a study and proof of concept using IOWN’s all-photonics network to improve remote operations at copper mines via low-latency links and high-definition monitoring. Health/Med Tech (regional): MEDITECH 2026 in Bogotá drew 12,700+ visitors and 300 exhibitors across 16 countries, signaling continued growth in medical technology trade and innovation. Policy (Chile): President José Antonio Kast proposed a constitutional reform to strengthen the state’s security role and expand tools against organized crime and terrorism.

Space Tech & Safety: A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage is widely reported to have hit the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, with Chile-based telescopes detecting a debris plume; NASA says there’s no threat to Earth, but the event adds to worries about lunar “litter” as more missions target the Moon. Astronomy Watch: In parallel, astronomers captured a rare, full-arc view of a massive star’s supernova death after an early X-ray flash detected by China’s Einstein Probe, helping map how such explosions can vary. Chile in the Mix: Chilean observatories (including Paranal) are central to confirming the lunar impact, while Chile also appears in broader tech signals like AI adoption comparisons and regional research trials. Health Tech (LatAm): A large randomized trial across 11 Latin American countries found older adults at risk of dementia improved more with a coach-led structured lifestyle program than with a flexible self-guided version. Energy Storage in Chile: AES Andes started a 146 MW / 438 MWh battery storage project, another step in Chile’s grid modernization.

Energy Storage in Chile: AES Andes started commercial operations at Bolero BESS, a 146 MW/438 MWh lithium-ion battery paired with its Bolero solar plant in Sierra Gorda (Antofagasta), aiming to shift solar power to peak demand and support a more flexible grid. Astronomy from Chile’s skies: The Dark Energy Survey released results from its six-year campaign using the Dark Energy Camera in the Chilean Andes, mapping 669 million galaxies and thousands of clusters and supernovas to sharpen measurements of cosmic expansion. Space discovery: Astronomers reported a third planet in the Beta Pictoris system (Beta Pictoris d), first spotted with ESO’s VLT instrument ERIS and also found independently with JWST. Biology at extreme altitude: A study on Andean leaf-eared mice explains how summit populations survive above 6,700 m by improving oxygen use and heat generation, plus genetic adaptations for plant toxins. Public health & history: Ancient DNA work in Chilean mummies found smallpox genomes tied to European lineages, strengthening the case for colonial-era introduction. Tech & policy: A UN ECLAC report co-chaired by Michelle Bachelet urges Latin America to avoid forced US-China alignment while using lithium and copper leverage to negotiate more power.

Antarctic Tourism Push: A new 150-room luxury hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, is set to open in Puerto Williams in October, aiming to turn Chile’s far south into a major gateway for Antarctic expeditions. Critical Minerals Watch: Moody’s warns Latin America’s copper and lithium boom could stall due to regulatory hurdles, infrastructure gaps, and financing limits—especially in Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil. Space & Astronomy from Chile: SDSS-V Data Release 20 adds Chile-based optical spectroscopy to an all-sky view of galaxies and stars, while a new AI tool helped schedule observations with DECam at Cerro Tololo. Black Hole Mapping: SDSS-V’s expanded Black Hole Mapper dataset grows to about 1.1 million spectra, boosting studies of supermassive black holes. Ancient DNA Breakthrough (Chile): Researchers report the first ancient smallpox genomes from the Americas, recovered from Chilean mummies, strengthening the case that European colonizers brought the virus. Health & Policy: Michigan courts permanently block enforcement of the state’s “conversion therapy” ban for talk-only licensed therapy. Tech & Defense: OSI and TKMS sign an MOU to explore integrating OSI navigation software into Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project. Climate Reality Check: Chile’s Los Libertadores border crossing remains closed under heavy snow, showing how El Niño and warming can paralyze key trade routes.

Astronomy Automation in Chile: A new AI tool from Northwestern, Chicago and Fermilab is being used to plan and adjust telescope observations in real time, with successful scheduling on Chile’s DECam at CTIO—another step toward more autonomous observatories. Deep-Sky Breakthroughs from ESO: New images strengthen the case that Betelgeuse has a faint companion, while separate VLT/LBT observations reveal the first “trilobate” three-lobed asteroid (44) Nysa plus a tiny moon. Space Science Milestone: The Rubin Observatory’s LSST Camera delivers its first science-grade catalog data from the COSMOS field, with 500,000+ galaxies mapped over 3,000 square degrees. Chile’s Smallpox DNA Story: DNA work on 500-year-old Chilean mummies reports the strongest molecular confirmation yet that smallpox arrived with European colonists. Energy & Grid Reality Check: Chile’s power transition is shifting from building renewables to upgrading transmission, adding storage and using hydropower for balancing as demand rises with mining, data centers and electrification. Copper Under Pressure: Forecasts point to a structural copper deficit in 2026, with El Niño raising the risk of disruptions to Chile/Peru exports. Food Safety Watch: The FDA issued warning letters to seven importers for lacking required supplier verification programs.

Ancient DNA Breakthrough (Chile): Researchers report the first direct molecular proof of smallpox in the Americas, finding European-related smallpox DNA in 500-year-old Chilean mummies from northern Chile—supporting that colonization brought the virus. Space Science (Chile-linked): The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released its first science-grade catalog from the full LSST camera, producing a deep COSMOS view with 500,000 galaxies—plus new work using DESI’s Chile-based instrument to study the chemistry of destroyed exoplanets. Astronomy Discovery (Chile): New Very Large Telescope images from Chile reveal the first “trilobate” three-headed asteroid, (44) Nysa, and a tiny moon orbiting it. Health & Tech (Chile connection): A portable, finger-prick blood test device aims to deliver lab-grade results in under a minute, while Chile-based researchers also present findings linking multilingual experience to slower brain aging. Climate & Food: Wildfires across Europe are stressing wine production, and extreme heat in Guayaquil is rising fast as El Niño intensifies. Market Tech: A B3 outage disrupted Brazil’s stock exchange trading at month-end.

Chile-Korea Trade & Minerals: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung returned to Seoul after an 11-day U.S. and South America tour, including a Chile summit with President José Antonio Kast to reactivate a Korea–Chile consultative body for free-trade agreement talks and sign a minerals partnership memo. Space Science from Chile: The NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory in Chile released an ultra-detailed view of the COSMOS field showing 500,000+ galaxies using its 3.2-gigapixel LSST camera. Exoplanets: Astronomers reported signs that the habitable-zone “super-Earth” LHS 1140b may have an atmosphere. Rare Disease History (Chile mummies): New ancient DNA work from Chilean mummies strengthens the case that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas. Astronomy Tech (Jodrell Bank): Artists, writers and scientists urged the UK government to save Jodrell Bank’s radio astronomy network after funding cuts. Travel Disruption: A Qantas Boeing 787 en route to Santiago, Chile, turned back over the Pacific due to a mechanical issue, stranding nearly 200 passengers overnight in Melbourne.

Space Science from Chile: The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile has published the clearest results yet that Betelgeuse has a companion star, ending a century-long hunt and sharpening what astronomers know about the red supergiant’s system. Astronomy Imaging: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released a single stacked view with more than 500,000 galaxies and 50,000 stars, built from its 3.2-billion-pixel camera—another milestone for deep-sky surveys. Ancient DNA in Chile: Researchers analyzing 500-year-old Chilean mummy DNA report the strongest genetic link yet that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas, tracing infections to the late 1400s–1600s. Chile Education & Safety: UNESCO and Chile’s education authorities met in Santiago to push “Protected Schools” efforts aimed at safer, more inclusive classrooms and violence prevention. AI & Trade Diplomacy (Korea–Chile): South Korea President Lee Jae-myung’s tour included Chile, with renewed focus on AI chip partnerships and critical minerals cooperation, plus steps to modernize the Korea–Chile free trade framework. Cybersecurity (Regional): Michigan reported cyberattacks targeting water systems, joining earlier alerts from Minnesota, with officials saying operations remain safe while investigations continue. Aviation Tragedy (Peru): A tourist plane crashed near the Nazca Lines, killing 13, after an emergency was reported and radio contact was lost.

AI & Critical Minerals Diplomacy: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wrapped up a five-nation push for AI semiconductor deals and critical mineral cooperation, with a final stop in Frankfurt after summits in Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Chile-Korea Trade Reset: In Santiago, Lee and Chile’s José Antonio Kast agreed to reactivate the Korea-Chile Free Trade Commission after a decade and deepen cooperation across copper and lithium supply chains, infrastructure, and public security. Space Science From Chile: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released a stacked view of the COSMOS sky with 500,000+ galaxies, using its 3.2-gigapixel camera to sharpen our view of the distant universe. Public Health History in Chile: Researchers reported direct smallpox DNA from 500-year-old Inca-era mummies in northern Chile, strengthening the case that the virus arrived from Europe during colonization. Education Safety in Santiago: UNESCO shared work on safer, more inclusive school climates and violence prevention at an event in Santiago tied to Chile’s Protected Schools Bill. Travel & Safety: A tourist plane crash near Peru’s Nazca Lines killed 13, with the cause still under investigation.

Space & Astronomy: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released a stacked view of the COSMOS field with more than 500,000 galaxies and 50,000 stars, using its 3.2-gigapixel camera to push deeper into the early universe. Ancient DNA in Chile: Researchers reported the first direct smallpox genomes from Inca-era mummies in northern Chile, offering strong molecular support that European colonization brought the virus to the Americas. Cybersecurity & Critical Services: The US FBI is investigating cyberattacks on water systems after Michigan joined Minnesota in reporting incidents, with officials saying systems were operating safely. Energy & Industry: Ocean Power Technologies expanded from surface maritime work toward seabed infrastructure after acquiring subsea wave power IP from Columbia Wave. Mining Automation: Autonomous mining is scaling fast, with cabless electric trucks and retrofit autonomy kits moving from pilots to commercial operations, including in Chile. Chile-linked tech & research: A Duke startup, Extellis, is developing satellite imaging using synthetic-aperture radar that can see through clouds and at night, with Chilean ties via the broader research ecosystem.

Space & Astronomy: Rubin Observatory’s new COSMOS image highlights the power of the LSST camera to map hundreds of thousands of galaxies, while Chile-based Magellan Observatory work reports the first strong signs of an atmosphere on rocky exoplanet LHS 1140 b. Ancient Science: Researchers recovered smallpox DNA from Inca-era mummies in northern Chile, offering direct molecular proof that European colonization brought the virus to the Americas. Energy & Climate Tech: India’s cabinet cleared a plan for 5,000 MW of floating solar, but it requires paired energy storage—an approach aimed at scaling renewables without land constraints. Mining Automation: Autonomous mining is moving from pilots to scale, with cabless electric trucks and retrofit autonomy kits expanding across major operations, including Chile. Chile Tech & Industry: A Duke startup, Extellis, is developing weather- and night-proof satellite imaging using synthetic-aperture radar, with potential launches within two years. Policy & Society: Chile’s ANFP approved a jersey rule change for goalkeeper Vozinha to use his nickname—small, but a reminder how regulations shape tech-adjacent sports branding.

Ancient DNA in Chile: Researchers recovered the first ancient smallpox genomes from naturally mummified Indigenous people in northern Chile, finding two infections in Inca-Colonial remains and linking the virus’s arrival in the Americas to European colonization, with results published in Science. Exoplanet Atmosphere (Chile-based telescope): Astronomers using Chile’s Magellan Observatory detected helium escaping from rocky super-Earth LHS 1140 b in the habitable zone, a key step toward finding atmospheres on potentially life-friendly worlds. Climate & Coasts: A new mapping effort pinpoints UNESCO coastal World Heritage sites most exposed to rising seas, while the UN warns the climate crisis is accelerating as El Niño intensifies heat and disruption. Space Cataloging: Germany’s eROSITA DR2 released nearly two million X-ray sources, including a major census of faint binary systems that help explain the Milky Way’s X-ray glow. Tech & Policy (Chile-adjacent): Chile’s Antarctic energy debate gets a boost from a student proposal combining renewables with a nuclear microreactor to cut diesel use at research stations.

Ancient DNA Breakthrough (Chile): Trinity College Dublin researchers recovered the oldest smallpox DNA yet from two naturally mummified people in northern Chile, offering the strongest genetic proof that European colonization brought smallpox to the Americas. Korea–Chile Trade & Tech: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung and Chile’s President Jose Antonio Kast agreed to reactivate their FTA committee after a decade and push modernization, while also expanding cooperation on critical minerals, defense, shipbuilding, and digital economy blocs. Critical Minerals Push: The two countries signed five MOUs in Santiago, including a lithium-and-copper supply-chain partnership, plus agreements spanning Antarctic research and maritime safety. Space Science (Chile-linked): Astronomers using Chile’s Magellan Clay Telescope detected helium escaping a rocky exoplanet in the habitable zone—an early step toward finding atmospheres beyond Earth. Mining & Copper Demand: New reporting points to a growing refined copper supply deficit driven by grid upgrades, renewables, and AI data centers—raising stakes for Chile’s copper-dependent economy. Sustainability & Waste: A look at textile recycling regulation highlights how extended producer responsibility is reshaping how brands handle clothing waste, with Chile’s import-and-sorting reality in the spotlight.