Alcântara Space Center
Brazilian Space Center / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Alcântara Space Center (Portuguese: Centro Espacial de Alcântara, CEA), former known as Alcântara Launch Center (Portuguese: Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara,[3]) is a space center and launching facility of the Brazilian Space Agency in the city of Alcântara, located on Brazil's northern Atlantic coast, in the state of Maranhão.[4] It is operated by the Brazilian Air Force (Comando da Aeronáutica). The CEA is the closest launching base to the equator. This gives the launch site a significant advantage in launching geosynchronous satellites, an attribute shared by the Guiana Space Centre.
Abbreviation | CEA |
---|---|
Formation | 1982; 42 years ago (1982) |
Type | Spaceport |
Location | |
Coordinates | 02°20′22″S 44°25′03″W |
Official language | Portuguese English |
Owner | Aerospace Operations Command Brazilian Air Force Brazilian Space Agency |
Director | Col. Marcello Correa De Souza |
Website | fab |
Formerly called | Alcântara Launch Center |
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Construction of the base began in 1982. The first launch occurred on February 21, 1990, when the sounding rocket Sonda 2 XV-53 was launched.[5] On August 22, 2003, the explosion 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 Ukrainian Tsyklon-4[8] and Israeli Shavit[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 Russian Proton rocket.[12]
In the beginning of 2018, Brazilian government offered the possibility to use the spaceport to several U.S. companies.[13] The company Virgin Orbit, was selected to fly their LauncherOne rocket from Alcântara in the first half of 2023.[14][15]