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Brazil Key Points111 Funding: The space budget for 2022 is less than $32 million. Organizations: • Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) • Aerospace Technology and Science Department (DCTA) • National Institute of Space Research (INPE) Capabilities: • Alcântara launch site International partners: Russia, Europe, China, United States.
SUMMARY razil’s Alcântara Launch Center is only two degrees south of the Equator, 300 kilometers closer than any other active launch site in the world. With a legacy in space spanning from the 1960s, Brazil has its sights set on becoming a global space leader. However, Brazilian launch capabilities are underutilized, with most Brazilian payloads taking off from Chinese or Russian launch sites. A fatal accident on the Alcântara launch site in 2003 killed 21 people, including many essential technicians. This tragedy saw the death of many scientists and engineers and had an impact on the development of launch capabilities.112 There have been several successful launches from Alcântara in recent years, including projects in collaboration with the German Space Agency and Italy-based Thales. Today, the Brazilian economy
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grapples with a considerable downturn in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is seeking out international investment and collaboration with US-based private companies to boost the space industry and economy. However, expansion plans for Alcântara could have an impact on the regional environment and local communities. Brazil has considerable space ambitions for the future, and geographically, its launch site holds a lot of promise. However, it remains to be seen how these goals can be met within constrained government budgets and amid challenges to training and retaining talent.
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Map: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brazil_on_the_globe_(South_America_centered).svg Melo, Michele & Paulo Vasconcellos (2020) High hopes for Brazil’s space ambitions. Astronautics 3(25). https://room.eu.com/article/high-hopes-for-brazils-space-ambitions 112
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SPACE
INTERPLANETARY INITIATIVE
