The President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, met today (20) with the entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and Starlink, in São Paulo. At the meeting, they talked about a partnership between the Brazilian government and the Starlink sub-orbital connectivity company.
According to Musk, the reason for the visit is to make it possible to connect 19 Brazilian schools using the internet satellite system. In addition, Starlink will also assist in the environmental monitoring of the Amazon.
The Minister of Communications, Fábio Faria, who also participated in the meeting, said that the Starlink satellite could contribute to the preservation of the forest by monitoring deforestation in Brazil.
“His satellites are 550 km from Earth. The satellite can inform us that there was an electric saw there and the government will check if it is a place where there is legal or illegal deforestation”, said the minister at a press conference.
Bolsonaro confirmed that Musk's satellites could help the federal government identify the fires. “This participation will help us to preserve it [the Amazon]”, said.
The president also said that he made the Alcântara base available to Elon Musk to be used by SpaceX, an aerospace company also controlled by the billionaire.
“The Alcântara launch base is available, as discussed between him and the Air Force commander”, said Bolsonaro.
In addition to monitoring the Amazon, Musk also proposes to offer broadband internet in the country in rural or difficult-to-access areas. “And his dream is to help education by connecting schools in rural areas,” said Minister Fábio Faria.
This was the second meeting between Fábio Faria and Elon Musk. Before, they had already talked about this subject in a meeting in the United States.
Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio participated in the “Conecta Amazônia” event, along with President Jair Bolsonaro and businessman Elon Musk.
The Minister highlighted the role of Defense and the Armed Forces in carrying out various actions to monitor and protect the Amazon. In addition, the Forces cooperate for the sustainable economic and social development of the region, with emphasis on two pillars: environmental protection and for the Amazonian population.
“About 35 million Brazilians inhabit what is called the Legal Amazon. At the Ministry of Defense, dedicated civil and military professionals work to expand the Brazilian State's role in strategic regions, such as the Amazon," pointed out.
The authorities, however, did not provide further details about the value or how this service will be performed by the billionaire's companies.
With information from Agency Brazil e Defense Ministry.
