Na “march for complete mastery of space”, according to the FAB, this Friday (20), the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, presented the capabilities of the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), to the businessman American Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and SpaceX.
The meeting took place during the event “Connect Amazon”, organized by the Ministry of Communications, which was also attended by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, among other civil and military authorities.
On the occasion, Lieutenant-Brigadier Baptista Junior pointed out that the Alcântara Space Center is ready to receive launch vehicles from commercial companies, such as SpaceX, and explained the advantages associated with operating the CEA, such as: proximity to the sea, location approximately 2º18' south of the Equator, which allows launches in polar and equatorial orbits; low population density; absence of incidence of earthquakes and hurricanes; low density of air and sea traffic; and ideal location for launches on demand (responsive launches).
Remote sensing satellite developments
On the occasion, the possibility of a partnership for the development and operation of low-orbit remote sensing satellites was also discussed, in order to operations to protect the Brazilian Amazon.
According to the Air Force Commander, SpaceX could contribute to the preservation of the environment, invest in carbon credits and help protect Brazilian Native Communities.
“In addition, launch operations could be carried out from Brazilian territory”, he added.
SpaceX
SpaceX is a leader in the global market for commercial launches and can become a partner company in space vehicle launch operations from Brazilian territory. The company was also selected to send the Lessonia sensing satellites into space, which will be operated by the Brazilian Air Force.
During the event, businessman Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, was awarded the Order of Merit medal granted by the Ministry of Defense.
Space Monitoring System
Another area of interest for the Brazilian Air Force is the installation of a Space Monitoring System, in order to improve the safety of satellite operations.
A network of sensors, operated by the FAB, for monitoring, from the southern hemisphere, the fleet of satellites of the Brazilian government, as well as the fleet of satellites of the company SpaceX.
According to Lieutenant Brigadier Baptista Junior, these commercial satellite monitoring data would be shared with the international community, following UN protocols on the use of outer space, collaborating with global awareness of the space situation.
“Brazil would like to establish a partnership for the technological development of launch vehicles. The Brazilian Air Force has an Aeronautics and Space Institute (IAE) for technological exchange. A partnership for the development and operation of a constellation of low-orbit remote sensing satellites would be very opportune, in order to operations to protect the Brazilian Amazon”, explained the General Officer.
window to space
The Alcântara Space Center consists of a set of goods and services used to launch commercial space vehicles in national territory, providing the necessary infrastructure to the specific activities of launch companies.
In response to space exploration, the CEA is able to provide logistical , integration and final tests of the payload, launch of space objects, weather forecast, data collection via telemetry, tracking, command and control system and other technologies.
Street: Brazilian air force
