OT: Brazilian Launch Facility

Loser · #1 August 22nd, 2003, 05:21 PM

I had no idea Brazil was working on a space program. I'm hoping Erax can come in here and enlighten me concerning its history and how Brazilians feel about it.

Erax · #2 August 22nd, 2003, 06:48 PM

Hi Loser. It's a good thing I caught this thread early on. I am no expert, but here's what I can tell you :

- Brazil is not working on a full-fledged space program. The idea is to have a fully operational launch site which can then be rented to other nations (AFAIK there are few other equatorial launch sites in the world, built or planned, so it's a BIG economic advantage).

- Once this phase is in place, income from the base can be used to develop and launch our own communications sattelites. Brazil is a BIG country, with all sorts of natural barriers separating everything, so all of our governments since the 60's have invested heavily in telecommunications.

- INPE and the Brazilian Air Force have participated in several of NASA's projects and also in Europe's Ariane project.

- Our air/spaceflight history is as long as yours. The Wright Brothers got their airplane in the air first, but they used a catapult. The world's first fully self-powered takeoff, flight and landing was performed by a Brazilian called Alberto Santos Dumont (link).

- I can't speak for all Brazilians, but I think most of them understand the need for investment in high-tech projects and the importance of having our own sattelites.

Loser · #3 August 22nd, 2003, 08:52 PM

Thanks Erax, I never knew (of course).

By the way, don't post again before you check your Profile.

Gozra · #4 August 22nd, 2003, 10:12 PM

I was saddened when I saw in the news today that the rocket that Brazil was preparing to launch blewup on the launch pad. I was really rooting for Brazil to get into the space race. We really need to get out there so we can get all the energy and raw materials we need and get Heavy industry off Earth so we can give this Planet a rest. An any one that expands our ablity to get us into space has my admiration.

oleg · #5 August 22nd, 2003, 11:54 PM

There are 25 fatalities, according to BBC. My condolences.

Rocket launch was and still is a very dangerous business. Basically, you mount hundreds tons of high explosives and then blow them up in controled fashion. The chance it goes off can never be a zero. US, Russia and France suffered setbacks and so will any other nation. Important thing is not give up and persevere.

That' make us humans, right ?

Erax · #6 August 23rd, 2003, 01:05 AM

Argh. This will set us years back. Funding for this project was meager before, now it's likely to dry up entirely.

Well, there's nothing I can do about it, other than feel sorry for the families of the victims.

Gozra, we aren't racing anyone, we just want to take our place in line behind the other space powers. Although the chances for that are slim to nonexistent now.

Maybe we try again in another 5 years.