US and Canadian companies reach deals for Alcântara base launches

This week has been marked by great expectations for the Brazilian space program: the Air Force has promised to present the first partnerships concluded with private companies for the use of the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), in the Maranhão. During the event, the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTIC) and the Brazilian Air Force announced the four companies – including three American and one Canadian – who were selected.

Hyperion, Orion AST and Virgin Orbit, from the United States, were selected, as well as the Canadian C6 Launch, which is now moving towards contract negotiations to, in the future, launch orbital and suborbital vehicles with the facilities of the base. Marcos Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said that the development of the Brazilian space program has been awaited for more than 30 years, both by the country and by the families living near the base. : “It is a unique moment of alignment between all the sectors for the development of our space program, there is still a lot to do”, he declared.

In his speech, Pontes recalled the launch of four Brazilian satellites, carried out since 2019, and also highlighted international partnerships such as the one made with NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to bring astronauts back to the Moon and establish there a lasting presence. . In this, the Brazilian participation in the initiative will focus on the production and development of small robotic equipment.

The deals are the result of a public appeal launched last year. With the new partnerships, the first activities can be launched in the base installations between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2021. According to Carlos Moura, president of the AEB, Alcântara will be able to take care of everything, from single launchers to companies that want to use the facilities for continuous launches – but, at least at this early stage, the focus should be on nanosatellite launches.

Lieutenant Baptista Junior, commander of the Air Force, underlined the trajectory of the Brazilian space program and the new technologies that attract investors: “the miniaturization of satellites, the incorporation of innovative solutions, the expansion services and an increasingly strong private sector presence, making newspace the new frontier in space exploration, “he commented.

According to the lieutenant, interest in these activities is growing, which shows the confidence that investors have in the future of the sector. The AEB has tried to attract commercial enterprises thanks to the advantages offered by the base of Alcântara, located at approximately 2º18 ‘south of the equator, a very privileged location which offers a good angular capacity of orbit and allows to reduce start-up costs by up to 30%. In addition, the base is close to the sea, which allows launches in polar and orbital orbit.

Source: AEB