The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB/MCTI) published the Ordinance No. 698, of August 31, 2021, establishing the Regulations for the Licensing of Space Activities Operators and for Launch Authorization in Brazilian territory. The norms referring to the authorization of launch operations were published in 2002, making it necessary to update their regulations.
Launch Operator License is the istrative act within the competence of AEB, granted to a natural, associated or consortium legal entity, with headquarters or representation in Brazil, to allow the execution of space launch activities from Brazilian territory.
The license will have a term of 5 (five) years, and may be renewed for equal and successive periods. Launch Authorization is the istrative act intended to grant the release of space launch activities or set of space launches in Brazilian territory.
In recent years, the space sector has undergone major transformations, mainly in the increase of private participation in the market. Several companies emerged in the space launch segment, as well as the emergence of several private launch centers.
In February 2020, the process of updating the regulations regarding the issuance of Operator Licenses and Launch Authorization began. The updating of these regulations becomes necessary for the start of the commercial operation of launch activities from Brazilian launch centers, as it is essential to guarantee the safety and efficiency of their implementation. Since 2020, AEB has already published two Public Calls for this purpose:
- Public Call 1 (click here).
- Public Call 2 (click here).
The requirements for the regulations refer to the FAA standard (Federal Aviation istration), FAA 14 CFR part 450 (Rationalization of launch and re-entry licensing requirements), in addition to related regulations divided into five annexes adapted to Brazilian legislation.
An attempt was made to standardize Brazilian regulations at international levels, along the same lines as those carried out in the aeronautical sector.
The issuance of the operator license depends on the analysis of the documentation presented by the applicant company. The focus is on checking the legality and technical capacity of the company. The documents required for issuing the operator's license are those relating to: legal personality; technical qualification; fiscal and labor regularity; and proof of payment of fees for granting the license.
For the issuance of the Launch Authorization, the analysis of the mission proposed by the company will be carried out, in which items related to safety, applicability and risk mitigation plans will be checked.
The company interested in obtaining launch authorization must present detailed documentation of the proposed space launch operation, in accordance with Annexes A, B, C, D and E, in strict compliance with the safety standards established by the AEB and the respective launch center.
It is expected, for 2022, the start of commercial activities from the Brazilian launch centers. Carrying out commercial activities depends on the establishment of regulations that guarantee the safety and efficiency of activities.
Link to access regulations: https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/servicos/licenciamento/portaria-no-698-de-31-de-agosto-de-2021.
Street: Brazilian Space Agency
