Brazilian Space Agency#Engines

{{further|Brazilian space program}}

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File:Library-ITA.JPG (ITA).]]

File:CLA Control Center.png

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The then president Jânio Quadros in 1960 established a commission that elaborated a national program for the space exploration. As a result of this work, in August 1961, the Organization Group of the National Commission of Space Activities (Portuguese: Grupo de Organização da Comissão Nacional de Atividades Espaciais) was formed, operating in São José dos Campos, in the state of São Paulo. Its researchers participated in international projects in the areas of astronomy, geodesy, geomagnetism, and meteorology.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The GOCNAE was replaced in April 1971 by the Institute for Space Research, currently called the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Since the creation of the then Technical Center of Aeronautics (CTA), the current Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA) of the Brazilian Air Force, in 1946, the country has been following the international progress in the aerospace sector.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

With the creation of the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), a fully qualified institution was formed to train highly qualified human resources in areas of state-of-the-art technology. The DCTA, through the ITA and the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE), play a key role in the consolidation of the Brazilian space program.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In the early 1970s, the Brazilian Space Activities Commission (COBAE) was created - a body linked to the then General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMFA) - to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the space program. This coordinating role, in February 1994, was transferred to the Brazilian Space Agency. The creation of the AEB represents a change in government orientation by establishing a central coordinating body for the space program, reporting directly to the Presidency of the Republic.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In 2011, Argentina's defense minister, Arturo Puricelli, made a proposal to the Brazilian minister, Celso Amorim, for the creation of a unified South American space agency by the year 2025, according to the European Space Agency.{{Cite web |url=https://ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/ciencia/argentina-propoe-ao-brasil-criacao-de-agencia-espacial-sulamericana/n1597186026553.html |title=Argentina propõe ao Brasil criação de agência espacial sul-americana - Ciência - iG |date=2011-08-30 |website=Último Segundo|access-date=2020-05-07 }}{{Cite web |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/brasil/ministros-do-brasil-e-argentina-apoiam-cooperacao/ |title=Ministros do Brasil e Argentina apoiam cooperação |website=VEJA |access-date=2020-05-07 |date=2011-08-30 |first=Gustavo |last=Uribe }}

In 2015, however, the Brazilian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense rejected the Argentine proposal "because it understood that it would be an organ that would yield a lot of bureaucracy and few results like the 'confederation' proposed by the United States and never came to anything" and also because, according to the agency's adviser: {{blockquote|"A regional space agency would reverberate in the Brazilian pocket that, due to its territorial size, would end up getting most of the invoice to pay."{{Cite web |url=http://www.defesanet.com.br/space/noticia/19200/AEB-recua-e-extingue-criacao-da-Agencia-Espacial-Latino-Americana/ |title=DefesaNet - Especial Espaço - AEB recua e extingue criação da Agência Espacial Latino Americana |website=www.defesanet.com.br |access-date=2020-05-07 |first=Júlio |last=Ottoboni |date=2015-05-21 }}}}

File:Vls 1 v03.jpg.]]

{{main|Alcântara Space Center}}

{{coord|2|20|S|44|24|W}}

The Alcântara Launch Center ({{langx|pt|Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara}}; CLA) is the main launch site and operational center of the Brazilian Space Agency.[http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=centros_lancamentos Centros de Lançamentos: CLA] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712010838/http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=centros_lancamentos |date=July 12, 2009 }} Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved on 2009-07-30. {{in lang|pt}} It is located in the peninsula of Alcântara, in the state of Maranhão.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/brazil/alcantara.htm Alcantara Launch Center (2°20'S; 44°24'W)] GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved on 2009-07-30. This region presents some excellent requirements, such as low population density, excellent security conditions and easiness of aerial and maritime access. The most important factor is its closeness to the Equator - Alcântara is the closest launching base to the Equator. This gives the launch site a significant advantage in launching geosynchronous satellites.

{{main|Barreira do Inferno Launch Center}}

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The Barreira do Inferno Launch Center ({{langx|pt|Centro de Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno}}; CLBI) is a rocket launch base of the Brazilian Space Agency.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/brazil/inferno.htm Barreira do Inferno Launch Center] GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved on 2009-07-30. It is located in the city of Parnamirim, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. It is primarily used to launch sounding rockets and to support the Alcântara Launch Center.[http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=centros_lancamentos Centro de Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712010838/http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=centros_lancamentos |date=July 12, 2009 }} Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved on 2009-07-30. {{in lang|pt}}

File:AEB Sounding rockets.svg

File:Foguete VS 40.jpg rocket]]

File:Vls1-mockup-test.jpg at the Alcântara Launch Center]]

File:VSB-30 payload section.jpg, the Brazilian sub-orbital vehicle]]

The Brazilian Space Agency has operated a series of sounding rockets.

• Sonda I
• Sonda II
• Sonda III
• Sonda IV
• VSB-30
• VS-30
• VS-40
• VS-50 (projected, will use the new S-50 rocket engine)

{{main|VLM (rocket)}}

File:Veículo Lançador de Microssatélite.jpg, the future Brazilian three-stage satellite launcher]]

Brazil has forged a cooperative arrangement with Germany to develop a dedicated micro-satellite launch vehicle. As a result, the VLM "Veiculo Lançador de Microsatelites" (Microsatellite Launch Vehicle) based on the S50 rocket engine is being studied, with the objective of orbiting satellites up to 150 kg in circular orbits ranging from 250 to 700 km. The first qualifying and test flight will be on 2022 from the Alcântara Space Center.{{cite web |last=Messier |first=Doug |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/10/07/brazil-plans-launch-of-brazilian-orbital-rocket-from-brazilian-soil-in-2022/ |title=Brazil Plans Launch of Brazilian Orbital Rocket from Brazilian Soil in 2022 |work=Parabolic Arc |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020}} The second flight is scheduled for the following years as part of the SHEFEX mission, to be conducted also from Alcântara, in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR).{{cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vlm.htm |title=VLM |work=Gunter's Space Page |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020}}

{{main|VLS-1}}

The VLS - Satellite Launch Vehicle ({{langx|pt|Veículo Lançador de Satélites}}) was the Brazilian Space Agency's main satellite launch vehicle.[http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=lancadores Veículos Lançadores: VLS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712010908/http://www.aeb.gov.br/indexx.php?secao=lancadores |date=2009-07-12 }} Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}} It is a four-stage rocket composed of a core and four strap-on motors.[http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/V/VLS.html VLS (Brazilian rocket)] The Internet Encyclopedia of Science. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. The vehicle's first stage has four solid fuel motors derived from the Sonda sounding rockets. It is intended to deploy 100 to 380 kg satellites into 200 to 1200 km orbit, or to deploy 75 to 275 kg payloads into 200 to 1000 km polar orbit. The first 3 prototypes for the vehicle failed to launch, with the 3rd exploding on the launch pad in 2003 resulting in the deaths of 21 AEB personnel.

The VLS-1 V4 prototype was expected a launch in 2013.[https://archive.today/20120801122631/http://www.fab.mil.br/portal/capa/index.php?mostra=9073 Saiba como está o projeto Veículo Lançador de Satélite (VLS)] Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. {{in lang|pt}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/10/11/brazil-iae-conducts-vls-qualification-tests/|title=Brazil: IAE Conducts VLS Qualification Tests at Parabolic Arc|access-date=12 June 2015}} After subsequent delays, the project was cancelled in 2016.{{cite web | archive-date=2016-08-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816173922/http://jornaldosindct.sindct.org.br/index.php?q=node%2F615 | url=http://jornaldosindct.sindct.org.br/index.php?q=node/615 | title=Problemas de "governança" e gestão explicam em parte extinção do VLS-1 | website=jornaldosindct.sindct.org.br}}

File:INPE, São José dos Campos 2016 015.jpg]]

The Brazilian Space Agency was developing a new family of launch vehicles in cooperation with the Russian Federal Space Agency.[http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_Begins_Elbowing_Ukraine_Out_From_Brazil_Space_Program_999.html Russia Begins Elbowing Ukraine Out From Brazil's Space Program] SpaceDaily.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-29.[http://www.estadao.com.br/vidae/not_vid283411,0.htm Brasil e Rússia, juntos em órbita e na exploração espacial] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131042719/http://www.estadao.com.br/vidae/not_vid283411%2C0.htm |date=January 31, 2010 }} Estadão. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}}[http://www.defesabr.com/Tecno/tecno_PCS.htm Programa Cruzeiro do Sul] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200645/http://www.defesabr.com/Tecno/tecno_PCS.htm |date=2016-03-03 }} DefesaBR. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}} The five rockets of the Southern Cross family will be based on Russia's Angara vehicle and liquid-propellant engines.

The first stage of the VLS Gama, Delta and Epsilon rockets was to be powered by a unit based on the RD-191 engine. The second stage, which will be the same for all the Southern Cross rockets, will be driven by an engine based on the Molniya rocket. The third stage will be a solid-propellant booster based on an upgraded version of the VLS-1. The program was named "Southern Cross" in reference to the Crux constellation, present on the flag of Brazil and composed of five stars.[http://www.iae.cta.br/cruzeirosul.htm Programa de Veículos Lançadoeres de Satélites Cruzeiro do Sul]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}} Hence the names of the future launch vehicles:

• VLS Alfa (light-weight rocket)

The first rocket to be developed. As a direct modification of the VLS-1 of the original project, replacing the fourth and fifth stages by a single liquid fuel engine. It can place payloads in the range 200–400 kg in orbits up to 750 km.

• VLS Beta (light-weight rocket)

Consisting of three stages without auxiliary thrusters. The first stage is a solid fuel propellant 40 tons, the second will have 30 tons of thrust engine and the latter will be 7.5 tons of thrust, with the same mixture "Kerolox". It can place payloads up to 800 kg in orbits up to 800 km.

• VLS Gama (light-weight rocket)

The VLS Gama launcher is part of the light-weight class, but using the near-equatorial position of the Alcântara Launch Center, it can place almost 1 ton of payload into orbit up to 800 km.

• VLS Delta (medium-weight rocket)

The VLS Delta launcher is a medium-weight rocket and differs from the Gamma by having four solid-propellant boosters attached to the first stage. Its payload deliverable to a geostationary orbit is 2 tons.

• VLS Epsilon (heavy-weight rocket)

The VLS Epsilon launcher is a heavy-weight rocket with three identical units attached to the first stage. It can place a 4 tons spacecraft in geostationary orbit, if it is launched from Alcântara.

The Brazilian government was planning to allocate $1 billion dollars for the project over six years. It has already set aside $650 million for the construction of five launch pads able to handle up to 12 launches per year. The program was scheduled to be completed by 2022. However, it was cancelled by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Instead, Brazil will focus on a series of smaller launch vehicles that appear to rely more on home-grown technology.

Brazil is also investing in the domain of the hypersonic technology. The 14-X, a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) under development with the Brazilian Air Force, was conceived in 2007 and launched on 14 February 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.fab.mil.br/noticias/mostra/33480/TECNOLOGIA%20-%20Conclu%C3%ADda%20mais%20uma%20etapa%20do%20projeto%20de%20desenvolvimento%20de%20um%20ve%C3%ADculo%20hipers%C3%B4nico|title=Concluída mais uma etapa do projeto de desenvolvimento de um veículo hipersônico|language=pt|date=21 February 2019|website=Brazilian Air Force}}{{cite web|url=https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2020/03/03/noticia-brasil-pondra-prueba-operacion-cruzeiro.html|title=Brasil pondrá a prueba el 14-X en la Operación Cruzeiro|language=es|date=3 March 2020|website=Infodefensa.com}} by a VSB-30 rocket, reaching to 100,000 feet of altitude and a maximum speed of Mach 10.{{cite web| url = http://gizmodo.uol.com.br/brasil-prepara-14-x-uma-nave-hipersonica-para-voar-em-2013 | title = Brasil prepara 14-X, uma nave hipersônica, para voar em 2013 | website = Gizmodo | date = 19 April 2011 | language = pt}}

File:Amazonia 1 with MLI installed 001.jpg]]

A number of different engines{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/country/brazil.htm|title=Brazil|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215147/http://www.astronautix.com/country/brazil.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016}} were developed for usage on the several launch vehicles:

• S-10-1 solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/stages/s101.htm|title=S-10-1|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824114212/http://www.astronautix.com/stages/s101.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 1. Thrust: 27 kN.
• S-10-2 solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/stages/s102.htm|title=S-10-2|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824114248/http://www.astronautix.com/stages/s102.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 1. Thrust: 4.20 kN, burn time: 32 s.
• S-20 Avibras solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s20.htm|title=S-20|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113712/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s20.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 2 and Sonda 3. Thrust:36 kN
• S-23 Avibrassolid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s23.htm|title=S-23|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113729/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s23.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 3M1. Thrust:18 kN
• S-30 IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s30.htm|title=S-30|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113807/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s30.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 3, Sonda 3M1, Sonda 4, VS-30, VS-30/Orion and VSB-30. Thrust: 20.490 kN
• S-31 IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s31.htm|title=S-31|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113802/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s31.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on VSB-30. Thrust: 240 kN
• S-40TM IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s40tm.htm|title=S-40TM|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113636/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s40tm.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on VLS-R1, VS-40, VLS-1 and VLM-1. Thrust: 208.4 kN, isp=272s.
• S-43 IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s43.htm|title=S-43|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113717/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s43.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on Sonda 4, VLS-R1 and VLS-1. Thrust: 303 kN, isp=265s
• S-43TM IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s43tm.htm|title=S-43TM|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113530/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s43tm.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on VLS-R1, VLS-1 and VLM. Thrust: 321.7 kN, isp=276s
• S-44 IAE solid rocket engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s44.htm|title=S-44|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824113801/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/s44.htm|archive-date=24 August 2015}} Used on VLS-R1, VS-40, VLS-1 and VLM-1. Thrust:33.24 kN, isp=282s
• L5 (Estágio Líquido Propulsivo (EPL)) liquid fuel rocket engine. Tested on VS-30 and projected for use on VLS-Alfa.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/institucional/revistas-pdf/013revista-peb-jan-jun-2012.pdf|title=Espaco Brasileiro|date=January 2012|publisher=Agência Espacial Brasileira|access-date=March 18, 2023|page=12}}
• L15 liquid fuel rocket engine. Projected for use on VS-15.{{cite web|url=http://brazilianspace.blogspot.pt/2011/02/projeto-samf-sistema-de-alimentacao-de.html|title=BRAZILIAN SPACE|author=Brazilian Space|access-date=12 June 2015}} Thrust: 15 kN
• L75 liquid fuel rocket engine, similar to the Russian RD-0109.{{cite web | access-date=2012-10-05 | archive-date=2013-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319185542/http://www.ecsbdefesa.com.br/defesa/fts/TPLB.pdf | url=http://www.ecsbdefesa.com.br/defesa/fts/TPLB.pdf | title=A Tecnologia de Propulsǎo Liquida No Brasil | url-status=dead}} Projected for use on VLS-Alfa, VLS-Beta, VLS-Omega, VLS-Gama and VLS-Epsilon. Thrust: 75 kN
• S-50 IAE solid rocket engine. Projected for use on VLM-1 and VS-50.{{cite web|url=http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com/2011/04/ola-leitor-como-voce-deve-saber.html|title=BRAZILIAN SPACE|author=Brazilian Space|access-date=12 June 2015}}
• L1500 liquid fuel rocket engine. Used on VLS-Beta, VLS-Omega, VLS-Gama and VLS-Epsilon. Thrust: 1500 kN

The Brazilian Space Agency has several active satellites in orbit including imagery intelligence, military communications, reconnaissance and Earth observation satellites. Several others are currently in development.

Marcos Pontes, a lieutenant colonel in the Brazilian Air Force, is an astronaut of the Brazilian Space Agency.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/brazil/astronaut.htm AEB: Human Spaceflight] GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved on 2011-01-17. Pontes was the first Brazilian astronaut,[http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/pontes.html Astronaut Bio: Marcos C. Pontes.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417154821/http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/pontes.html |date=2017-04-17 }} NASA. Retrieved on 2011-01-17. having launched with the Expedition 13 crew from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 29, 2006, aboard a Soyuz-TMA spacecraft.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/08/world/americas/brazils-man-in-space-a-mere-hitchhiker-or-a-hero.html|title=Brazil's Man in Space: A Mere 'Hitchhiker,' or a Hero?|first=Larry|last=Rohter|newspaper=The New York Times |date=Apr 8, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2020}} Pontes docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on March 31, 2006, where he lived and worked for 9 days. Pontes returned to Earth with the Expedition 12 crew, landing in Kazakhstan on April 8, 2006. In January 2019, Pontes was nominated by the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication, a position he held until 2022.

{{Main | Aerospace Operations Command}}

The Aerospace Operations Command ({{langx|pt|Comando de Operações Aeroespaciais}} - COMAE) is a Brazilian air and space command created in 2017{{Cite news|url=https://www.fab.mil.br/organizacoes/mostra/455/|title=COMAE|access-date=12 July 2021|website=Brazilian Air Force|language=pt}} which is part of the Brazilian Air Force. The command is responsible for planning, coordinating, executing and controlling the country's air and space operations.{{Cite news|url=https://br.linkedin.com/company/comae|title=COMAE media|access-date=12 July 2021|language=pt}} The Brazilian Navy and Brazilian Army also are part of the organization.

File:23062020 Cerimônia de Inauguração do Centro de Operações Espaciais Principal (COPE-P).jpg at the inauguration of the Space Operations Center in Brasília, June 2020.]]

The Space Operations Center (Portuguese: Centro de Operações Espaciais, acronym COPE) is a facility established in 2020 subordinated to the Aerospace Operations Command, with the objective of operating and supervising the Brazilian satellites.{{cite web |url=https://www.fab.mil.br/noticias/mostra/35918/ESPA%C3%87O%20-%20Cerim%C3%B4nia%20marca%20inaugura%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20das%20instala%C3%A7%C3%B5es%20do%20Centro%20de%20Opera%C3%A7%C3%B5es%20Espaciais |title=Cerimônia marca inauguração das instalações do Centro de Operações Espaciais |website=Brazilian Air Force |date=June 24, 2020|language=pt}}

The Bingo radio telescope called Baryon Acoustic Oscillations from Integrated Neutral Gas Observations,{{cite web|title=Radiotelescópio brasileiro, Bingo vai explorar energia escura do Universo|url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/tecnologia/2021/07/03/radiotelescopio-brasileiro-bingo-vai-explorar-energia-escura-do-universo|website=CNN Brazil|date=3 July 2021}} is a project coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazilian Space Agency, National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and international partners from Europe and China. The telescope will consist of two giant dishes, with 40 meters of diameter each, which will receive radiation from the space and project their spectrum in a series of metal detectors, called horns. Bingo will perform its detections in the radio band in the range of 960 to 1260 MHZ.{{cite web|title=The BINGO Telescope|url=https://portal.if.usp.br/bingotelescope/en/node/368|website=BINGO Telescope}} 80% of the Bingo parts came from the Brazilian industry.

File:CBERS line draw.jpeg

China and Brazil have successfully cooperated in the field of space.{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Joanna I. |title=Cooperating for the Climate: Learning from International Partnerships in China's Clean Energy Sector |date=2023 |publisher=The MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-54482-5 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts}}{{Rp|page=202}} Among the most successful space cooperation projects were the development and launch of earth monitoring satellites.{{Rp|page=202}} The China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program (CBERS) is a technological cooperation program between Brazil and China which develops and operates Earth observation satellites.

Brazil and China negotiated the CBERS project during two years (1986–1988), renewed in 1994 and again in 2004. As of 2023, the two countries have jointly developed six China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellites.{{Rp|page=202}} These projects have helped both Brazil and China develop their access to satellite imagery and promoted remote sensing research.{{Rp|page=202}} Brazil and China's cooperation is a unique example of South-South cooperation between two developing countries in the field of space.{{Rp|page=202}}

File:ELC-2 showing MISSE and HPGT removed.jpg

The Brazilian Space Agency is a bilateral partner of NASA in the International Space Station.[http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/1996_1998/h97-233.html NASA Signs International Space Station Agreement With Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127012829/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/1996_1998/h97-233.html |date=2020-11-27 }} NASA. Retrieved on 2011-01-17. The agreement for the design, development, operation and use of Brazilian developed flight equipment and payloads for the Space Station was signed in 1997. It includes the development of six items, among which are a Window Observational Research Facility and a Technology Experiment Facility. In return, NASA will provide Brazil with access to its ISS facilities on-orbit, as well as a flight opportunity for one Brazilian astronaut during the course of the ISS program.

However, due to cost issues, the subcontractor Embraer was unable to provide the promised ExPrESS pallet, and Brazil left the programme in 2007.{{cite web|title=Made in Brazil O Brasil na Estação Espacial Internacional|url=http://www.gizmodo.com.br/conteudo/made-brazil-o-brasil-na-estacao-espacial-internacional/|publisher=Gizmodo Brazil|access-date=9 March 2011|author=Emerson Kimura|language=pt|date=2009}}{{Cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Brasil/0,,AA1549783-5598,00-BRASIL+ESTA+FORA+DO+PROJETO+DA+ESTACAO+ESPACIAL+ISS.html|title=G1 > Brasil - NOTÍCIAS - Brasil está fora do projeto da Estação Espacial (ISS)|website=g1.globo.com|access-date=May 7, 2020}} However, as a compromise, NASA have funded small Brazilian-made components for the Express Logistics Carrier-2 for the ISS, which were installed in 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/assembly/elements/ep/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000118084557/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/assembly/elements/ep/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2000|title=ISS Assembly: EXPRESS Pallet|website=spaceflight.nasa.gov|access-date=May 7, 2020}}

On October 21, 2003, the Brazilian Space Agency and the State Space Agency of Ukraine established a cooperation agreement creating a joint venture space enterprise called Alcântara Cyclone Space.[http://www.defesabr.com/Tecno/tecno_espaco.htm Ucrânia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117070521/http://www.defesabr.com/Tecno/tecno_espaco.htm |date=2016-01-17 }} Defesa BR. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}} The new company will focus on launching satellites from the Alcântara Launch Center using the Tsyklon-4 rocket.[http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_htezocajgw Brazil-Ukraine joint venture space company eyes global satellite launch market; to start operations this year] GIS News. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. The company will invest $160 million dollars in infrastructure for the new launch pad that will be constructed at the Alcântara Launch Center.

In March 2009, the Brazilian Government increased its financial capital by US$ 50 million.[http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2007-2010/2009/Dnn/Dnn11975.htm Autoriza o aumento de capital social da Empresa Binacional Alcântara Cyclone Space] Presidency of Brazil. Retrieved on 2009-07-29. {{in lang|pt}}

The first launch was planned for 2014 from the Alcantara Launch Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/10/brazil-scales-back-launch-vehicle-plans/|title=Brazil Scales Back Launch Vehicle Plans – Parabolic Arc|access-date=May 7, 2020}}

Brazil pulled out of the program in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/brazil-pulling-out-of-ukrainian-launcher-project/ |title=Brazil Pulling Out of Ukraine Launcher Program|date=16 April 2015 |access-date= September 25, 2023}}

On November 8, 2010, National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signed a Letter of Intent regarding the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) program.{{cite press release |title=JAXA and INPE Signing Letter of Intention in cooperation for REDD+ using DAICHI |url=http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2010/11/20101108_inpe_e.html |publisher=JAXA |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=August 20, 2015}} Examples of the cooperation include the monitoring of illegal logging in the Amazon rainforest utilizing data from JAXA's ALOS satellite. Both Brazil and Japan are members of the Global Precipitation Measurement project.[http://chuvaproject.cptec.inpe.br/portal/alcantara/gpm.html BRAZILIAN PARTICIPANTS IN GPM] GPM-Br 2010. Retrieved on 2015-08-20.

On 21 October 2020, Brazil was invited by the United States to join NASA's Artemis Space Program.{{Cite web|title=EUA convidam Brasil para integrar o programa espacial Artemis|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/internacional/noticia/2020-10/eua-convidam-brasil-para-integrar-o-programa-espacial-artemis|date=21 October 2020|website=Agência Brasil}} On 15 June 2021, the country officially joined the program by signing the Artemis Accords with the U.S. and international partners, for the joint exploration of the Moon from 2024 and Mars and beyond in 2030s. The roles of Brazil include the development of a national lunar robot for the use in the future missions.

On 18 August 2021, AEB signed cooperation agreements with space agencies of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), to the joint-development of a remote sensing satellite constellation,{{Cite web|title=Acordo para Constelação de Satélites do BRICS é assinado|url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/acordo-para-constelacao-de-satelites-do-brics-e-assinado-4|date=18 August 2021|website=gov.br/aeb}} aiming to help with common challenges for the mankind such as the climate change, major disasters and environmental protection. Ground stations located in Cuiabá in Brazil, Moscow Region in Russia, Shadnagar–Hyderabad in India, Sanya in China and Hartebeesthoek in South Africa will receive data from the satellite constellation.{{Cite web|title=BRICS space agencies in deal to share remote sensing satellite data|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-08/18/c_1310134918.htm|date=18 August 2021|website=XINHUANET}}

• Aerospace Operations Command Brazilian space command
• Alcântara Space Center (CEA)
• National Institute for Space Research (INPE)
• Aerospace Technology and Science Department (DCTA)
• Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA)
• Embraer S.A. (Brazilian aerospace and defense conglomerate)
• Avibras (Brazilian aerospace and defense company)
• List of government space agencies
• List of Brazilian satellites

{{Reflist|3}}

{{Commons category|Brazilian Space Agency}}

• [https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br Official site in Portuguese]
• [https://twitter.com/espacial_aeb AEB on Twitter]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030827103414/http://www.mrree.gub.uy/iiicea/PAISES/Brasil/Brazilian%20Space%20Program98.htm An article on the agency]

{{Brazil space program}}

{{Public sector space agencies}}

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Category:Space agencies

Category:Scientific organisations based in Brazil

Category:Government agencies of Brazil

Category:1994 establishments in Brazil

Category:Organisations based in Brasília