The 'Brazilian Space Agency' (
Portuguese: ''Agência Espacial Brasileira''; 'AEB') is the civilian authority in
Brazil that is in charge of the country's burgeoning
space program. It operates a
rocket launch site at
Alcântara. Its location near the equator means that less energy is required to launch into space.
The Brazilian Space Agency is the heir to Brazil's space program. Previously, the program had been under the control of the Brazilian military; the program was transferred into civilian control on
10 February 1994.
It suffered a major setback in 2003, when a
rocket explosion killed 21 technicians. The first successful rocket was launched on
October 23 2004; it was a VSV-30, or
Brazilian Exploration Vehicle, launched on a
sub-orbital mission.
The Brazilian Space Agency has pursued a policy of joint technological development with more advanced space programs. Initially it relied heavily on the United States, but after meeting difficulties from them on technological transfers, Brazil has branched out, working with other nations, including
Ukraine,
Israel,
Argentina and
China.
Notes
1. Contas Abertas
2. [1]
See also
★
Brazilian National Institute for Space Research - INPE
★
Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology (CTA)
★
Aeronautics Technological Institute (ITA)
★
Marcos Pontes, the first Brazilian in space
External links
★
Official site in Portuguese
★
An article on the agency