Brazil promises to continue launch vehicle program
Posted: Tue, Sep 2, 2003, 2:04 PM ET (1804 GMT)
Brazilian government officials vowed last week to continue development of a small launch vehicle even after an accident last month claimed the lives of 21 workers. The accident, which took place as technicians were preparing the VLS-1 rocket for a launch attempt, has been seen as a major setback in Brazil's efforts to become a spacefaring nation. Reuters reported that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to continue the program and carry out a successful launch by the end of 2006, when his four-year term expires. Repairing the damage to the Alcantara launch facility is estimated to cost $33 million, far more than the Brazilian Space Agency's annual budget of $12 million; it was unclear how much extra funding the government would provide. Brazil's budget is constrained by International Monetary Fund agreements that require the government to run budget surpluses, Space News reported.
Brazilian government officials vowed last week to continue development of a small launch vehicle even after an accident last month claimed the lives of 21 workers. The accident, which took place as technicians were preparing the VLS-1 rocket for a launch attempt, has been seen as a major setback in Brazil's efforts to become a spacefaring nation. Reuters reported that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to continue the program and carry out a successful launch by the end of 2006, when his four-year term expires. Repairing the damage to the Alcantara launch facility is estimated to cost $33 million, far more than the Brazilian Space Agency's annual budget of $12 million; it was unclear how much extra funding the government would provide. Brazil's budget is constrained by International Monetary Fund agreements that require the government to run budget surpluses, Space News reported.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, July 3
Starlink Free to Launch Services in India Once IN-SPACe Approvals Are Complete: Jyotiraditya Scindia
IndUS Business Journal — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Ahead of Musk’s Starlink launch, American satcom player Viasat expands India services
The Times of India — 2:44 am ET (0644 GMT) SpaceOps: Pentagon Reevaluating Future Data Transport Layer
Aviation Week — 2:42 am ET (0642 GMT) Jeff Bezos gave $100 million for a satellite. It just got lost in space
The Independent — 2:41 am ET (0641 GMT) SpaceX double launch lights up Florida sky, but most Volusia beachgoers don't notice
Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal — 2:39 am ET (0639 GMT) |
