Representatives from Akaer, a leading Brazilian company in innovation in the defense and aerospace sectors, made a technical visit to the Alcântara Launch Center (CLA), in Maranhão, on September 2 and 3.
The aim was to start operational negotiations related to the development of the VLPP (Small Launch Vehicle), a project led by Akaer that will allow Brazil to take its own nano and microsatellites into space.
The visit was attended by teams from Akaer, as well as the co-executing companies Acrux, Breng Engenharia and EMSISTI, and Equatorial Sistemas, part of the Akaer Group, as well as representatives from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).
The delegation was received by the Director of CLA, Colonel Clóvis Martins de Souza, and the Deputy Director, Colonel Silva Neto, who presented the Center’s facilities, which will be used to launch the VLN AKR, the name given to the VLPP.
The project is being developed in partnership with the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP), which signed a contract with Akaer in December last year, guaranteeing an investment of R$ 185 million over the next three years.
The visit
The visit marked the start of the operational integration process between Akaer and the CLA teams, with a focus on recognizing the facilities and technical preparation for the next stages of the VLPP.
According to Wilson Toyama, director of Akaer’s Launchers and Weapons Systems Business Unit, the main objective was “to identify the site and begin technical contacts in preparation for the launch campaign”.
Among the activities carried out during the visit were:
Presentation of the operational concept: The Akaer delegation detailed the VLPP’s operational concept, covering the main stages for preparing and executing the launch.
Visit to the launch preparation sector (SPL): Identification of a potential site for the VLPP launch pad.
Inspection of the propellant preparation building: Assessment of the space and resources available for assembling the launch vehicle.
Visit to the control room and flight safety room: Checking the work stations, flight authorization and monitoring procedures, as well as the safety criteria for the launch.
Visit to the meteorology and telemetry section: Review of the procedures for collecting and analyzing meteorological and telemetry data necessary for flight safety.
Inspection of the radar sector: Clarifications on the tracking of the VLN AKR flight and coordination between the radars installed in Alcântara, São Luís and Rio Grande do Norte.
Technological expansion
With the development of the VLPP, Brazil is moving closer to joining the select group of only 13 countries that have mastered space launch technology.
The project aims to create a vehicle capable of transporting nano and microsatellites, with a minimum payload of five kilos, into equatorial orbit from Brazilian territory.
Mastering this technology is necessary to meet the growing demand in the small satellite market, which generated US$ 2.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to US$ 6.7 billion by 2027.
The project is currently in the preliminary configuration definition phase, preparing for the System Requirement Review (SRR).
“In addition to the economic gains, the project promises to bring significant advances to the scientific and technological areas, creating new job opportunities and strengthening Brazil’s presence on the international stage,” said CAA Silva.
Akaer
With a solid 32-year track record and headquarters in São José dos Campos (SP), Akaer has vast experience in developing cutting-edge technologies for the aerospace and defense sectors.
The company has participated in all the satellite projects in the CBERS family (in partnership with China), AMAZONIA 1, and was responsible for the technology transfer of SGDC, the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite.
More recently, Akaer was involved in the VCUB1 project, the first 100% Brazilian high-performance nanosatellite, in partnership with Visiona.