Alcântara Space Center, in Maranhão, becomes a “target” of 14 foreigners who aim to operate in the spaceport, after Brazil closes a partnership with the USA

After approval and ratification of the Technological Safeguards Agreement (AST) that ensures a commercial partnership between Brazil and the United States of America (USA) for the use of the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), 14 companies from different countries showed interest in carrying out operations in the spaceport of Alcântara/MA, stimulating regional and national development, employment and technology in Brazil.

Read also

• Looking for a job but no experience? Heineken calls candidates from all areas throughout Brazil for internship vacancies, this April 26
• Multinational offers hundreds of home office jobs to work from the comfort of home anywhere in Brazil
• Fiat, the first ethanol car manufacturer, gives up manufacturing 1.3 turbo ethanol engines in Brazil
• After Sony, Ford, LG and Mercedes-Benz leave the country, the largest cement manufacturer in the world will end production and leave Brazil

“After the approval of the Technological Safeguards Agreement by the Federal Government, the interests of companies in the Alcântara spaceport grow. Regional and national development, employment and technology; 14 companies from different countries have already expressed interest in carrying out operations from Alcântara. A milestone for history and for the Brazilian Space Program”, wrote Bolsonaro.

Alcântara Space Center, in Maranhão

The Alcântara Space Center (CEA) has been treated as a priority by the Ministry of Science and Technology, whose Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations is astronaut Marcos Pontes.

Marcos Pontes has maintained a routine of quarterly visits to Alcântara. He has also taken other ministers and members of the National Congress to get to know the city and the Alcântara Space Center.

The objective, according to him, is to attract investments from other sectors of the Federal Government and support from senators and federal deputies from all over the country, in the expansion project of the Alcântara Space Center.

Brazil and Kazakhstan discuss cooperation in space and technology

Pontes participated in a virtual audience, last Thursday (22), with the new ambassador of Kazakhstan in Brazil, Bolat Nussupov, to discuss possibilities for bilateral cooperation, with emphasis on the space center and the development of technologies. A memorandum of understanding in the space area between the two countries is already under negotiation and is expected to be signed by the end of this year.

“We have common interests and our partnerships can be beneficial for both countries,” said the minister.

Kazakhstan's ambassador to Brazil highlighted the solid partnership between the two countries in the space area and, according to him, the expectation is to sign the bilateral memorandum of understanding in the sector during the visit to Brazil of the Head of Government of Kazakhstan, Askar Mamin, scheduled for the end of this year. The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes is being prepared by the MCTI and the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan.

“We have two countries with enormous potential to develop and exchange experience in the areas of science and technology”, stated Bolat Nussupov. The country has adopted a strategy with the aim of becoming one of the 30 most developed countries in the technology sector by 2050.

Kazakhstan also eyes nuclear partnership with Brazil

During the audience, the Kazakh ambassador also expressed interest in presenting a cooperation proposal with Brazil in the nuclear area for peaceful purposes. Minister Marcos Pontes pointed out that the country's Space and Nuclear policy is a responsibility of the MCTI, but that it involves other federal government bodies. Marcos Pontes revealed that the ministry has already prepared and sent to the Civil House a proposal for a decree that creates the National Authority for Nuclear Safety.