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Brazil Soars to New Heights with National Technology from the Brazilian Air Force, Seeking Greater Spatial Autonomy and a Leading Role in the International Scenario
On Friday, November 29, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took a significant step towards spatial autonomy by launching a 100% national suborbital sounding rocket. The event, which marked the conclusion of the first phase of Operation Potiguar, took place at 1:19 PM at the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (CLBI), in Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte.
The launch, which lasted 5 minutes and 50 seconds, was a complete success. The rocket from FAB maintained its trajectory as planned by the operation’s engineers, with all telemetry and radar systems functioning perfectly. During its brief journey, the vehicle remained in space for 2 minutes and 50 seconds, demonstrating FAB’s capability to conduct suborbital operations with precision, according to the aeroin website.
Technology and Innovation in Operation Potiguar
According to Lieutenant Brigadier Maurício Augusto Silveira de Medeiros, Director-General of the Aerospace Science and Technology Department (DCTA), the mission represents a milestone for Brazil in terms of spatial autonomy. “With this initiative, we break paradigms and open new perspectives for the future. Barreira do Inferno has proven capable of conducting launch events with excellence,” he stated.
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The CLBI, a branch of the DCTA, has a rich history of over 3,000 launches, organized into 655 operations. Additionally, it has already completed 265 events of tracking space vehicles. The creation of the public company Alada to manage commercial launches promises even more advances for the Brazilian space sector.
Next Steps and Technological Innovations
The second phase of Operation Potiguar, scheduled for the second half of 2025, will utilize another rocket of the same model to test the recovery system of the suborbital microgravity platform (PSM). This platform, essential for experiments in microgravity conditions, includes a compartment for various scientific applications.
The FAB sounding rocket launched is part of the S30 family, developed by the Aeronautics and Space Institute (IAE) in collaboration with Brazilian companies. Since the project’s inception in 1996, there have been 55 launches, including models such as the VSB30 and the VS30 Orion.
Impact of FAB Suborbital Vehicles
Although the suborbital vehicles from FAB do not go into orbit, they reach altitudes that surpass the atmosphere, serving as valuable tools for scientific and technological experiments. These vehicles are essential for industries such as pharmaceuticals, metalworking, food, and cosmetics.
Lieutenant Colonel Engineer Fernando César Monteiro Tavares, operation coordinator, highlighted the importance of these experiments. One example is dental resin, which underwent crystallization in microgravity to be used worldwide. “Space is our frontier of knowledge,” emphasizes Tavares, underscoring the crucial role of aerospace research in advancing the Brazilian scientific program.
The success of the launch of the Brazilian rocket reinforces the Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) commitment to innovation and technological development, positioning Brazil as a key player in the global space arena.
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