Brazil’s First Steps in the Commercial Space Launch Sector: What Has Been Done in the Past Two Years?

Abstract

Among developing countries, Brazil has been one of the pioneers to invest in the space sector. The Brazilian Space Program has been trying to spread the New Space culture and environment, massively encouraging the private sector to participate. An important strategy in this new path is to establish itself as a launching country, by using and commercially opening the Alcantara Space Center. This article aims to analyze the initiatives already taken for this purpose, such as the Technological Safeguards Agreement signed between Brazil and the United States, the public calls for the use of the launch center, and the revision of Brazilian space regulations, as well as to point out possible new actions necessary for these initiatives.