Welcome to SGAC Brazil
The Brazilian space program dates back to 1960 when the government first developed a program for the Brazilian space exploration. The years that follow the two main institutes for space research, the National Institute of Space Research (INPE), created in 1971, and the The Aerospace Technology and Science Department (DCTA), established in 1953, carried out a series of space projects with a view to develop a national space capability. Nowadays, Brazil has two launch sites Alcântara Launch Center and Barreira do Inferno Launch Center, makes, assembles and tests sounding rockets, satellites and rocket engines. Also, Brazil is currently developing a launch vehicle nationally and a second launcher family in collaboration with the Russian Federal Space Agency. So far Brazil had one astronaut Marcos Pontes who flew with the Expedition 13 crew on March 29, 2006 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station.
Every day students find new opportunities in the Brazilian space area, as there is a growing number of universities offering graduation and post-graduation courses in space technology areas, the demand for students and researchers is increasing. The Brazilian Space agency also has programs to integrate the students and the agency offering materials, financing projects and training teachers.
Young Space Activities Overview in Brazil
Mainly the space activities in Brazil are related with the universities and the research institutes. In the past years the space agency took some steps in order to integrate the research institutes and promote the space program to the new generation. The two programs that were developed are the AEB School and the Uniespaço program.
AEB School
The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) created in 2003, the AEB School Programme. For elementary and high schools all over the country, the programme formulate activities on five themes to advertise the space activities in Brazil:
- Satellites and space platforms
- Spacecraft
- Astronomy
- Remote Sensing
- Meteorology and Environmental Sciences
To assist teachers in developing methodologies for inclusion of these themes in the classroom, the programme offers courses, lectures and workshops.
Uniespaço Program
The Uniespaço programme was created by the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) in 1997, with the view to integrate the university sector to the National Programme of Space Activities (PNAE) in order to meet the technological demand of the industry, in the product development and processes, research and analysis. The idea is to form a solid base of research and developments compose by specialized cores capable of executing projects in the space area.
The Brazilian SGAC has the objective to integrate the universities and research institutes in order to promote activities, integrating and strengthen more the relations between the young researchers.
Interesting web links for the young generation in Brazil
Groups, Institutions
Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil
Brazilian Aerospace Association
Brazilian Association of Aeronautical and Space Law
Institute of Aeronautics and Space
National Institute of Space Research
Brazilian proposed space missions
ASTER mission to a triple asteroid system
GSST – Galileo Solar Space Telescope
Colleges on Space Sciences and Technology
Aeronautical Institute of Technology
Federal University of Minas Gerais(UFMG)
Federal University of RIo de Janeiro (UFRJ)
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM)
Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Science
Institute of Aeronautics and Space
National Institute for Space Research(INPE)
Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA)
São Paulo State University (UNESP)
UNISANTOS- Space Law and Policy Research Group
Events and continuing education
INPE Winter School on Astronomy and Astrophysics
INPE Winter School on Space Technologies
UNESP Summer School on Orbital Dynamics and Planetology
USP Continuing College Education on “Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
Basic Course in Aeronautical and Space Law
Scientific and Industry Websites
Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil
Brazilian Aerospace Simposium organized by Brazilian Aerospace Association
Brazilian Colloquium on Orbital Dynamics
National Institute of Space Research
Others
Brazil Meteor Observation Network
Brazilian astronomy and astronautics Olympics
News on Brazilian space sector
SGAC Activities in Brazil
Informal Meeting in São José dos Campos
On November 23, 2024, the National Points of Contact (NPoCs) organized an informal meeting at a local coffee shop to introduce SGAC’s mission and opportunities to young graduate students from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) and the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). The event also welcomed collaborators from the Agência Espacial Brasileira (AEB), fostering dialogue about Brazil’s space program and sharing insights into its current initiatives and future goals.
This gathering aimed to inspire engagement with SGAC’s global network while providing participants with reliable information about pathways to contribute to the Brazilian space sector.
SG[Brazil] – 2025
The first SGAC Local Event in Brazil will take place on June 5, 2025, during the SpaceBR Show – Brazil’s largest space industry event. For details, visit the event’s official website.
