Committee Approves Agreement Between Brazil and USA on Use of Alcântara Base

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The two countries have been negotiating a technological safeguards agreement for almost 20 years, which would enable commercial use of the strategic aerospace launch site.

In 2000, Congress rejected the proposal that was being drafted by then-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, under the pretext that it violated national sovereignty.

The draft bill approving the text of the agreement between the two countries was passed by the Chamber of Deputies in October. The agreement ensures the protection of technologies used by the US and enables the commercial use of the Alcântara Space Center.

The agreement was formally signed by President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump in March. Known as the “Brazilian window on space,” the base located in Maranhão is appealing because it is close to the Equator, so that, according to estimates by technicians, launches use on average 30 percent less fuel than in the United States.

Roberto Rocha, the proposal’s rapporteur said that Brazil’s compensation will be the development of the national space program and the region’s economic development.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo