The Alcântara base is about to open a spaceport in Maranhão with the promise of business expansion and new technologies.

For over 20 years under construction at the base of Alcântara, in Maranhão, a spaceport, a structure that makes it possible to land and launch vehicles and space modules, manned or not, is very close to becoming a reality in Brazil. The information was announced by Colonel Carlos Augusto Moura, president of the Brazilian space agency (AEB), this Monday (14). According to the president, Brazil has several essential characteristics that allow the spaceport to function.

Read other related news

• Chinese “artificial sun” project focusing on near-inexhaustible renewable energy reaches new milestone
• WEG signs contract with Alcântara Space Center (CEA) for solar energy storage
• Brazil closes partnership with the US and foreigners from several countries aim to operate at the Alcântara Space Center (CEA)
• The Alcântara Space Center is a good launch site, but do companies really want to use it?
• Government of Maranhão announces R$ 500 million in investments to increase cargo handling in the Port of Itaqui

Alcântara base is the best location for the spaceport

The base is located 32 km from São Luís, capital of Maranhão, and has a privileged location, generating space fuel savings in launches. According to the President, the Alcântara base is one of the best places in the world to carry out space launches from the spaceport, not only because of its geographical position but also because of its logistics.

Both national and international companies are interested in using the benefits of the base and the expectation is that in the second half of this year the companies will already be operating in the spaceport of Alcântara, in Maranhão. Brazil, in addition to having excellent logistics, has also become a manufacturer of communication and monitoring satellites, such as the Amazonia-1, launched at the beginning of last year.

The president also points out that the start of operations at the spaceport, at the base of Alcântara, will deal with opportunities and development for communities in the region that benefit from the creation of new needs. Moura states that every enterprise has the power to radiate, spill over and benefit from local areas, both in terms of logistics and in terms of training the workforce. The structure at the base of Alcântara will be the radiator of the new technology center both in the region and in the capital of Maranhão.

Why does Alcântara have a strategic position?  

The Alcântara base in Maranhão is one of the most strategic and privileged in the world due to its financial aspect, since sending something into space from the base means saving up to 30% of fuel. And the explanation for this is very simple, what happens is that the rotation speed of the planet is greater in areas close to the Equator in relation to the rest of the earth, which can be used as an extra boost to the rocket or satellite launched.  

Countries plan to put the first woman on the moon  

In order to mark the 55th anniversary of the first mission to the moon, the Artemis project was developed, which aims to take the first woman to the moon by 2024. According to the president of the AEB, Brazil will have a strategic position in this initiative in view of which is a partner of the United States and other countries.

Through the project, Brazil will be able to support scientists, universities and generate new opportunities for Brazilian companies that will be able to operate in the sector, considering that there will be a constant demand for space traffic after the construction of fixed bases on the moon.

According to Moura, people will need to build, treat garbage, live and eat, among other basic activities. Going by that, the country is a major powerhouse in food, clean energy and other resources. The expectation is that there are preferred niches that Brazil can focus on, including mining. The Artemis project will open a new page in Brazil's space history.