Brazil and Colombia sign space cooperation agreement

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil and Colombia signed Thursday (19) an agreement on cooperation in space activities for peaceful purposes. The document was signed by Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Astronaut Marcos Pontes, and his Colombian counterpart, Tito Crissien Borrero.

Cooperation will take place in thematic areas such as Earth observation and development, assembly, testing and operation of satellites. In addition, the agreement allows for the sharing of scientific and technological infrastructures between the two countries.

“A space program plays a very important role in the development of various fields. And there are a number of challenges that can and must be solved in partnership. That’s why it’s important to have a partner like Colombia, which can also rely heavily on Brazil to build its space program,” said former astronaut Marcos Pontes at the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

For Colombian Minister of Science and Technology Tito Crissien, the collaboration will bring social and economic progress to both countries. “We are convinced that this partnership will make an important contribution to the development of various sectors, especially in the social and economic areas. Brazil and Colombia have been scientific partners for a long time. The support of our neighboring country gives us the certainty that the development of our space project will be successful,” he assessed.

The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), both associated with the MCTI, will be the Brazilian institutions most involved in this scientific collaboration between Brazil and Colombia.