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Cardoso Announces National Space Activities Program

Brasilia Voz do Brasil Network - 29 Aug 96

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on 29 August attended in Brasilia the launching of the National Space Activities Program [PNAE] for the next 10 years.

The program envisages the launching of two satellites, which will be designed to replace one which has been in orbit since February 1993.

Strategic Affairs Secretary Ronaldo Sardenberg did not specify when the satellites will be launched. He noted, however, that it will be necessary to launch these satellites.

"Scientists believe, however, that it will be necessary to replace the satellite in orbit because, despite its useful life being just one year, it has been three and half years in orbit. It is still operating successfully, but it is no longer fully reliable."

The Brazilian satellites -- which have been developed by the National Institute of Space Research, INPE, jointly with the Aerospace Technical Center [CTA] -- are used to monitor clearing of land by burning in the Amazon rain forest, to make weather forecasts, and to watch the water level of rivers to ensure better operation of hydroelectric plants.

In his speech, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso said the PNAE program is both public and open. He urged the Brazilian public to engage in a broad discussion on the subject.

"For the very reason that these are strategically significant issues that would have technological value for the entire country, they ought to be openly discussed. The fact that we are proposing a discussion on the program is a clear sign that on this subject, like on other issues, Brazil has nothing to hide from anyone and it should calmly continue to tread on its path to build national prosperity and peace."

Cardoso conveyed his gratitude to those who contributed to developing the program.

"I would like to take this occasion to express the recognition of the government and of the people to those institutions, researchers, and engineers who, as we have seen, for three decades have devoted their efforts to developing space activities in Brazil at the INPE, at the Science and Technology Ministry, at the CTA, at the Alcantara and Barreira do Inferno launch bases, at the Aeronautics Ministry, as well as in universities and industries."

Cardoso stated that funds will be made available for space activities.

"I am, however, deeply convinced that the projects included in the space program, given the potential benefits they could bring to the country, are worthwhile. I believe that upon discussing these issues, we are all going to support them in the next few years, and even more readily in the next 10 years because we are overcoming those stumbling blocks that have thus far precluded us from advancing further."

[In a related 400-word item, Sao Paulo AGENCIA ESTADO in Portuguese at 2130 GMT adds: "In the next few months, Brazil will launch the first of four prototypes of the Satellite Launch Vehicle (VLS-1, a type of rocket), which has been completely manufactured with Brazilian technology."

The report adds that "the VLS-1 will be launched from the Alcantara Launch Center in Maranhao and it will put a Data- Gathering Satellite (SCD-2A) in orbit. The SCD-2A has also been completely manufactured with Brazilian technology." The report says that "during the first half of 1997, Brazil will use a foreign rocket to launch another data-gathering satellite, SCD-2." It adds that "the SCD-2 and the SCD-2A satellites are designed to replace the SCD-1, the first artificial satellite completely manufactured in Brazil that has been in orbit since February 1993."]

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