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Alcântara Space Center

Coordinates:02°20′22″S44°25′03″W/ 2.33944°S 44.41750°W/-2.33944; -44.41750
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Alcântara Space Center
AbbreviationCEA
Formation1982;42 years ago(1982)
TypeSpaceport
Location
Coordinates02°20′22″S44°25′03″W/ 2.33944°S 44.41750°W/-2.33944; -44.41750
Official language
Portuguese
English
OwnerAerospace Operations Command
Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Space Agency
Director
Col.Marcello Correa De Souza
Websitefab.mil.br/cla
Formerly called
Alcântara Launch Center
[1][2]
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TheAlcântara Space Center(Portuguese:Centro Espacial de Alcântara,CEA), former known asAlcântara Launch Center(Portuguese:Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara,[3]) is aspace centerand launching facility of theBrazilian Space Agencyin the city ofAlcântara,located onBrazil's northern Atlantic coast, in the state ofMaranhão.[4]It is operated by theBrazilian Air Force(Comando da Aeronáutica). The CEA is the closest launching base to theequator.This gives the launch site a significant advantage in launchinggeosynchronous satellites,an attribute shared by theGuiana Space Centre.

Construction of the base began in 1982. The first launch occurred on February 21, 1990, when thesounding rocketSonda 2XV-53 was launched.[5]On August 22, 2003, theexplosion of the third VLS-1(XV-03) killed 21 people.[6]

The facility is in a strong position for launching satellites into geosynchronous orbits, according to British astrophysicist,Jonathan McDowell.[7]As such, there are plans to launch several international rockets from Alcântara. In 2003 contracts were signed to launch UkrainianTsyklon-4[8]and IsraeliShavit[9]rockets, thought these may have later been launched from their home countries in Ukraine[10]and Israel.[11]In addition there are further plans to launch the RussianProton rocket.[12]

In the beginning of 2018, Brazilian government offered the possibility to use the spaceport to several U.S. companies.[13]The companyVirgin Orbit,was selected to fly theirLauncherOnerocket from Alcântara in the first half of 2023.[14][15]

Construction

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Construction of the Alcântara Space Center began in 1982, as the Brazilian Space Agency's existing rocket range atBarreira do Inferno Launch Centerwas being overtaxed by growing demand for launch capacity.[16]In 2020, the government of Brazil announced their plan to expand the base by more than 12,000 hectares.[17]

Controversies

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The construction of the space center was controversial, as the site for the center was located on severalquilombos,settlements inhabited largely by descendants of escaped slaves in Brazil. In 1980,Brazil's military governmentforcibly relocated more than 300 families to inland villages away from the coast to make way for the center. This heavily disrupted their traditional livelihood of fishing and led to multiple cases of malnutrition among the residents.[18]

Human rights concerns over the displacement of locals were reported on during the center's planned expansions in 2001[18]and 2021, with residents and activists lobbying the government to halt expansions to prevent more communities from being displaced.[17]In 2023, the Brazilian government issued a public apology to thequilombolasand offered reparations.[19]

Public-private partnership

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Companies based in Alcântara as of 2021, with the objective of orbital and sub-orbital launches, for commercial purposes or in partnership with the Brazilian government:[20][21]

As of August 2021, the Brazilian government established Ordinance No. 698, a regulation that follows the FAA 14 CFR part 450 standard, which deals with launch and re-entry licenses in order to follow the world standard in space activities.[23]

Agreement between Brazil and the U.S.

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In 2019, Brazil and the U.S. signed an agreement, with the objective of preventing unauthorized access or transfer of U.S. technologies related to the launches from Alcântara.[24]

Structures

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  • Engine preparation facilities (Preparação de Propulsores - PPP)
  • Payload preparation facilities (Preparação de Carga Útil - PPCU)
  • Liquid-fuel loading facilities (Preparação de Carregamento de Propelentes - PCPL)
  • Universal launch tower
  • Mobile Integration Tower (TMI - Torre Móvel de Integração): 33x10x13m, 380tons. Used for assembly of the VLS rockets.
  • Control center (Prédio de Controle Avançado - CASAMATA).
  • 2600m runway

List of launchpads

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The Alcântara launch pads include:

Launch list

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The list of flights conducted and planned from Alcântara:

Alcântara Space Center (from 2021)

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Date Vehicle Type Operator Mission Payload Orbit Result Ref
14 December 2021 14-X(XSVSB-30 V32) Hypersonic glide vehicle FAB Qualification flight — Suborbital Success [25]
23 October 2022 VSB-30 Two-stage suborbital launcher AEB Santa Branca Operation PSM Suborbital Success [26]
19 March 2023 HANBIT-TLV Single-stage suborbital launcher Innospace Astrolábio Operation (test flight) SISNAV Suborbital Success [22]
NET August 2023 VS-50 Two-stage suborbital launcher AEB Qualification of VLM-1 subsystems TBA Suborbital Planned [27]
NET June 2025 VLM-1 Three-stage orbital launcher AEB VLM-1 Maiden Flight (fully operational) TBA Low Earth Planned [27]

Alcântara Launch Center (1982-2022)

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Date Vehicle Mission Result Altitude
1 December 1985 VLS-R1 VLS test launch Failure Failure in flight, apogee of 10 km
18 May 1989 VLS-R2 VLS test launch Success 50 km
21 February 1990 Sonda 2XV-53 Alcântara Ionosphere Success 101 km
26 November 1990 Sonda 2XV-54 Manival Ionosphere Success 91 km
9 December 1991 Sonda 2XV-55 Aguas Belas Ionosphere Success 88 km
1 June 1992 Sonda 3XV-24 Aeronomy Success 282 km
31 October 1992 Sonda 2XV-56 Ponta de Areia Ionosphere Success 32 km
22 March 1993 Sonda 2XV-57 Maruda Ionosphere Success 102 km
2 April 1993 VS-40PT-01 VS-40 Test Success 950 km
19 August 1994 Nike Orion MALTED/CADRE Ionosphere Success 140 km
20 August 1994 Nike Orion MALTED/CADRE Ionosphere Success 140 km
24 August 1994 Nike Orion MALTED/CADRE Ionosphere Success 140 km
25 August 1994 Nike Orion MALTED/CADRE Ionosphere Success 140 km
9 September 1994 Black Brant Ionosphere Success 250 km
21 September 1994 Black Brant Ionosphere Success 250 km
23 September 1994 Nike Tomahawk Ionosphere Success 270 km
23 September 1994 Nike Tomahawk Ionosphere Success 270 km
24 September 1994 Nike Tomahawk Ionosphere Success 270 km
24 September 1994 Nike Tomahawk Ionosphere Success 270 km
6 October 1994 Black Brant Ionosphere Failure 250 km
14 October 1994 Black Brant Guará H.Alt Spread F Ionosphere Success 956 km
15 October 1994 Black Brant Ionosphere Success 250 km
28 April 1997 VS-30XV-01 VS-30 Test Success 128 km
2 November 1997 VLS-1 V01 VLS-1 Failure Destroyed during launch
21 March 1998 VS-40 VS-40 Test Success 900 km
15 March 1999 VS-30XV-04 Operação San Marcos Success 128 km
11 December 1999 VLS-1 V02 SACI-2 Failure 10 km (Destroyed by range safety)
6 February 2000 VS-30XV-05 Lençóis Maranhenses Success 148 km
21 August 2000 VS-30/OrionXV-01 Baronesa Success 315 km
23 November 2002 VS-30/OrionXV-02 Piraperna Ionosphere Success 434 km
1 December 2002 VS-30XV-06 Cumã Failure 145 km
22 August 2003 VLS-1XV-03 SATEC Failure Exploded on ground (2003 Alcântara VLS accident)
23 October 2004 VSB-30XV-01 Cajuana Test Success 100 km
23 October 2004 VSB-30V01 VSB-30 Flight Test Success 259 km
19 July 2007 VSB-30V04 Cumã II Success 242 km
29 May 2009[28] Orion Maracati 1 Success 93 km
10 August 2009 FTB FogTrein I Success [29]
12 December 2010[30] VSB-30V07 Maracati 2 Success 242 km (payload recovered)
8 December 2012 VS-30/OrionV.10 Iguaiba Success 52 km[31]
9 August 2013 FTB Operação Falcão Success 32 km[32]
9 May 2014 FTB Operação Águia I Success [33]
21 August 2014 FTI Operação Águia II Success [34]
1 September 2014 VS-30V.13 Operação Raposa Success L-5 liquid engine test[35]
12 September 2018 VS-30V.14 Operação MUTITI Success 120 km[36]
22 May 2019 FTB Operação Águia I/2019 Success 2 launchers[37]
25 June 2020 FTB Operação Falcão I/2020 Success 30 km[38]
23 November 2021 FTI Operação Águia III Success ~60 km[39]
14 December 2021 14-XS Operação Cruzeiro Success 280 km[40]
01 June 2022 FTB Operação Falcon I/2022 Success 30 km[41]
23 October 2022 VSB-30V.29 Operação Santa Branca Success 227 km[42]
Source: Astronautix (Until 2010)[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"FAB CEA".Brazilian Air Force.RetrievedApril 30,2021.
  2. ^"CEA Airport Info".RetrievedApril 30,2021.
  3. ^"Empresas dos EUA e do Canadá vão atuar no Centro Espacial de Alcântara",EBC,April 28, 2021,retrievedApril 30,2021
  4. ^Brazil, Ukraine to launch rocket together in 2010,UNIAN(December 3, 2009)
  5. ^"SONDA II".AEB.RetrievedNovember 20,2019.
  6. ^"Maior acidente do Programa Espacial Brasileiro completa 13 anos".G1.RetrievedNovember 20,2019.
  7. ^Sheetz, Michael (March 19, 2018)."The key to cheaper US rocket launches may sit in Brazil's jungle".CNBC.RetrievedDecember 16,2023.
  8. ^President of Ukraine signs Decree on measures to ensure realization of Ukrainian-Brazilian project of creating space rocket complex "Cyclone - 4"
  9. ^"Launchers" by Tim Furniss, 26 August 2003,Flight International
  10. ^"Ukraine's little-known space feats – DW – 03/04/2022".dw.RetrievedDecember 16,2023.
  11. ^Gough, Evan; Today, Universe."Israeli Shavit rocket delivers malfunctioning spy satellite into orbit".phys.org.RetrievedDecember 16,2023.
  12. ^Interfax: Russia & CIS Defense Industry Weekly, 21 May 2010
  13. ^Reuters: U.S. space companies aim to help Brazil rocket base lift off
  14. ^"Virgin Orbit Selected to Bring Orbital Launch Capabilities to Brazil".Virgin Orbit(Press release). April 28, 2021.RetrievedApril 29,2021.
  15. ^"Business Interest Grows in Brazil's Alcântara Spaceport as Virgin Orbit Deal Announced".AEB(Press release). April 28, 2021.RetrievedApril 29,2021– via Parabolic Arc.
  16. ^Melo, Ajax B. (October 26, 1982).Alcântara Space Center.6th Sounding Rocket Conference. Orlando, Fl.: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.doi:10.2514/6.1982-1751.82-1751.
  17. ^abBarros, Ingrid."A story of slavery — and space".Washington Post.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  18. ^abFaiola, Anthony (October 6, 2001)."Brazil's Spaceport Displaces Villagers".Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  19. ^"Brazil apologizes for removal of Afro-Brazilian families to build spaceport".Reuters.April 27, 2023.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  20. ^"AS PRIMEIRAS EMPRESAS A FIRMAREM CONTRATO COM A BASE DE ALCÂNTARA".Época.April 28, 2021.
  21. ^"Governo seleciona quatro empresas para lançamento de satélites na base de Alcântara".Gazeta do Povo.April 28, 2021.
  22. ^ab"Set the Launch Window from December 14 to 21 for the Frist Test Flight of the Suborbital Rocket".Innospace(Press release). December 9, 2022.
  23. ^El gobierno regula los lanzamientos de sistemas espaciales privados en Brasil. Date: September, 5, 2021.
  24. ^"Bolsonaro promulga acordo de salvaguardas tecnológicas com EUA na base de Alcântara".Valor.February 6, 2020.
  25. ^"FAB realiza primeiro teste de voo do motor aeronáutico hipersônico 14-X".Brazilian Air Force(in Portuguese). December 16, 2021. Archived fromthe originalon December 16, 2021.RetrievedDecember 16,2021.
  26. ^"Foguete VSB-30 é lançado com sucesso da Centro Espacial de Alcântara".Agência Brasil(in Brazilian Portuguese). October 25, 2022.RetrievedOctober 25,2022.
  27. ^ab"Lançamento ainda distante".revistapesquisa.fapesp.br(in Brazilian Portuguese).RetrievedApril 29,2022.
  28. ^Xinhua: Brazil launches rocket to test launching baseXinhua. Retrieved on 2009-05-30.
  29. ^"CLA dá início à Operação FogTrein I - Tribuna do Maranhão".Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2014.RetrievedApril 26,2014.
  30. ^Brazil launches mid-sized rocketArchivedDecember 15, 2010, at theWayback MachineFoxNews. Retrieved on 2010-12-15.
  31. ^"BRAZILIAN SPACE|Operação Iguaíba".brazilianspace.blogspot.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  32. ^"Operação Falcão II. Mais um foguete lançado em Alcântara".Poder Aéreo - Aviação Militar, Indústria Aeronáutica e de Defesa(in Brazilian Portuguese). August 9, 2013.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  33. ^MA, Do G1 (August 29, 2014)."Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara lançará foguete de sondagem VS-30".Maranhão(in Brazilian Portuguese).RetrievedMay 15,2021.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^MA, Do G1 (August 29, 2014)."Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara lançará foguete de sondagem VS-30".Maranhão(in Brazilian Portuguese).RetrievedMay 15,2021.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. ^"Operação Raposa é iniciada no CLA - CLA".www2.fab.mil.br.Archived fromthe originalon April 11, 2021.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  36. ^Aeroflap (December 1, 2018)."CLA realiza o primeiro lançamento previsto para a Operação MUTITI".AEROFLAP(in Brazilian Portuguese).RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  37. ^"Operação Águia é realizada no CLA - CLA".www2.fab.mil.br.Archived fromthe originalon April 11, 2021.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  38. ^"Foguete é lançado da Base de Alcântara como parte de treinamento operacional".Canaltech(in Brazilian Portuguese). June 26, 2020.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  39. ^"Operação Águia – CLA realiza lançamento de foguete de treinamento".Tecnologia & Defesa(in Brazilian Portuguese). November 24, 2021.RetrievedNovember 24,2021.
  40. ^"FAB realiza primeiro teste de voo do motor aeronáutico hipersônico 14-X - Força Aérea Brasileira".fab.mil.br.RetrievedApril 15,2022.
  41. ^"Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara lança foguete em operação de treinamento".br.noticias.yahoo(in Brazilian Portuguese).RetrievedJune 11,2022.
  42. ^"Lançamento do foguete VSB-30 é realizado com sucesso durante a Operação Santa Branca"[Launch of the VSB-30 rocket is successfully carried out during Operation Santa Branca] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Agência Espacial Brasileira. October 24, 2022.
  43. ^"Astronautix: Alcantara Chronology and Launch Log".
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