Brazil will subsidize a project to develop a satellite launch vehicle

In support of the technological advancement of the Brazilian aerospace industry, the Notice of Economic Subsidy for Satellite Launch Vehicle was launched during a ceremony held at the Brazilian Aerospace Memorial (MAB) in São José dos Campos (São Paulo).

The project has the participation of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT), the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), and the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep), a public company of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations (MCTI).

The public call’s objective is to develop at least two Satellite Launch Vehicle prototypes capable of launching at least 5 kg of payload to equatorial orbit, with launch operations to be carried out from the national territory.

Interested companies have until September 26 to submit their proposals.

Among the merit, the evaluation criteria are the degree of innovation, experience, and knowledge of the companies; coherence and clarity of the proposals; and impact and technological risk.

On behalf of the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, the Director General of the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA), Air Brigadier Maurício Augusto Silveira de Medeiros, inaugurated the event, which was attended by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Paulo Cézar Rezende de Carvalho Alvim, the president of Finep, Waldemar Barroso Magno Neto, the president of AEB, Carlos Augusto Teixeira de Moura, as well as general officers of the Air Force and other authorities.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

Minister Paulo Alvim emphasized that the announcement of the call is more than a contribution of resources – it is a complementary structured action that represents the closing of a cycle of sustainable resumption of the Brazilian Space Program.

“No country wants to be considered developed that does not have a developed aerospace industry. The pandemic disrupted us a lot, but at no time did we stop or lose sight of where we wanted to go. And if we have come this far, it is because many Brazilians did not abandon the Brazilian Aerospace Mission,” he said.

“The aerospace industry has an important added value. Several other companies benefit from this production chain when a product like this is developed. In addition, it puts Brazil at the same level as other countries, which already have this highly developed industry,” added Lieutenant Brigadier Medeiros.

On occasion, the President of AEB, Carlos Moura, handed over to Lieutenant Brigadier Medeiros the National Space Activities Program (PNAE) for the period 2022 to 2031.

The VLS desired by Brazil is a launch vehicle or space rocket used to transport a payload from the Earth’s surface to outer space.

This system includes the launch vehicle, launch pad, and other infrastructure.

With information from InfoDefensa