Two groups of Brazilian companies were selected by the Studies and Projects Financier (Finep), from Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), to develop Small Launch Vehicles (VLPP), which enable the launch of nano and microsatellites into low orbit. The objective of Finep's notice, in partnership with Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), is to develop rockets, with a payload capacity of up to 30 kg.
This initiative aims to bring from the private sector to achieve a milestone of fundamental importance for the Brazilian space program: having a Brazilian launch vehicle capable of, from a Brazilian launch center, placing a satellite into orbit as well. Brazilian.
The R$189 million contract has an estimated term of 36 months and its signature was announced this Wednesday, December 13, in partnership with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB). The Economic Subsidy Grant Agreement has financial from Finep and MCTI, and uses resources from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) allocated to the Brazilian Space Program.
One of the selected groups is formed by the companies CENIC, Concert Technologies, PlasmaHub, ETSYS and Delsis. “This is a unique opportunity for the private sector and the national aerospace industry to add value to the Brazilian Space Program”, highlights Ralph Correa, managing partner of CENIC.
According to the expert, for Brazil to have autonomy and international projection in the aerospace area, it needs to master the manufacture of satellites and rockets, in addition to having a Launch Center, as provided for in the Brazilian Complete Space Mission (MECB). “In Brazil, we already have the Alcântara Launch Center and Barreira do Inferno. Also the development of satellites by National Institute of Space Research (INPE), fur Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA) and other institutions and companies that master this technique. However, we do not yet have national vehicles capable of launching such satellites. This is a unique opportunity, which can have a strongly positive impact on our economy”, he highlights.
The aerospace sector is a key piece for the development of any country and, in Brazil, it has an even more strategic role, since the aviation sector already has international relevance and the space sector has the potential to take off along with it. It is estimated that for every R$1 invested, the space sector returns between R$10 and R$20 to the country's economy, whether in the form of salaries, taxes, revenue, or growth in companies' added value. . Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that the current space industry market will jump from the current US$350 billion to more than US$1 trillion in 2040, through New Space initiatives, involving hundreds of companies of all sizes, which are drastically reducing the cost of satellites and their launches.
“Not just any country has the capacity to put satellites into orbit. Brazil is in a privileged position and this has enormous power to attract new investments and technologies. The opportunity is there and can bring us benefits on scale”, assesses Ângelo Fares, president of Concert Technologies.
For Ralph Correa, from CENIC, another great benefit of investing in the aerospace sector is the creation of a business environment conducive to companies that work with technology, with consequences in the creation of spin-offs, the development of new products and training of professionals. -qualified labor. This, not to mention the great advances made in understanding climate change and the environment, among others. “Having autonomy in launching satellites means offering advances in the areas of health, industry, energy, agriculture and several other sectors. Practically all companies currently use resources from satellites, such as GPS and internet signals”, he highlights.
“This is an important milestone in the Brazilian Space Program, in which we will promote the country's autonomy, mainly in technology and access to space, allowing, in the future, Brazil to the select group of nations that have access to space, and also , it is obviously a strengthening of our national industry for the development of space systems that the nation so desperately needs”, highlights AEB Portfolio Management Director, Rodrigo Leonardi. “Ten years from now, I want Brazil to have launch vehicle technology and that, on a regular and continuous basis, we launch our own satellites from national territory, with a national launch vehicle”, he concludes.
Meet the companies that form one of the groups selected to build the rocket:
- Cenic: Project coordination, systems engineering and development of the vehicle's complete primary structure;
- Concert Technologies: Control system – inertial navigation system / mission computer / control electronics;
- PlasmaHub: Launch control bench / eng. aerospace / projects / assembly of modules / integration of electrical networks;
- Delsis: electrical network telemetry / control bank data acquisition and processing;
- ETYS: electrical service network - energy supply / pyrotechnics / safety electrical network.
Rocket Features:
Total capacity in low orbit: up to 30 kg
Diameter: 1m
Height: 12 m
Takeoff mass: 9,9 t
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Street: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI)
