Libertad-1: Colombia’s First Satellite

Article

“Libertad-1: Colombia’s First Satellite” by Aaron Zucherman
Published in Quest Volume: 32 #3 (2025)

Abstract

As of December 2023, 40 CubeSats have had the honor of being a country’s very first satellite in space. But in 2007, Colombia became the first of that illustrious group—launching Libertad 1, its first-ever satellite, using the CubeSat form factor. That achievement was more than just a technical milestone. It was a statement. It said: You don’t need to be a superpower to reach the stars. Built by students and faculty at Sergio Arboleda University, Libertad 1 was a bold symbol of innovation, ambition, and national pride. It showed the world that with enough passion and persistence, even a small satellite from a determined team can make history. This article is told via a collection of oral histories taken from several of the key people involved.

Citation

Zucherman, Aaron. “Libertad-1: Colombia’s First Satellite.” Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly 32, no. 3 (2025): 49-54.