The Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (CLBI), an organization subordinated to the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA), carried out Operation Natal XLV between 17 and 28/07, which consisted of launching, tracking, recording and processing flight data of ten SBAT-70 training rockets. The objective of the event was to ensure the operability of the teams involved and to perform the testing of ground equipment associated with launch operations, in addition to training emergency procedures, as well as to carry out the training and technical-operational improvement of CLBI.
In order to fulfill the mission of Launching and Tracking, in this Operation, after revitalizations and adjustments of the means, several aspects were tested and evaluated, such as the infrastructure and systems that make up the Control Center and the bunker, as well as 23 operators from various posts were trained.
nteroperability with partner agencies – Military Organizations of the 3rd Naval District, 7th Motorized Infantry Brigade, Natal Air Base (BANT), Third Squadron of the First Communications and Control Group (3º/1º GCC), Third Squadron of the Seventh Aviation Group (3º/7º GAV), Military Fire Department of Rio Grande do Norte and Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) – was the differential of Natal XLV.
This line of action, which began in 2022, was consolidated in 2023 as the predominant factor for the safety of the operation, which consisted of air and maritime space interdiction, area clarification by aircraft and naval means, organic security, surface and platform security, and 100% operational logistics.
“The complex scenario, with the participation of more than 170 professionals in harmony, resulted in the successful use of the 10 [Click here to download the original image] SBAT-70 rockets and the demonstration of CLBI’s readiness for future launches of much larger space devices, such as suborbital rockets or others demanded by DCTA and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB)”, said CLBI Director, Colonel Erivando Pereira Souza.
Expanding the Organization’s relations with civil society, during Operation Christmas XLV, more than 1,500 Brazilian citizens, public and private schools, social projects, also visited the Exhibition alluding to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Santos Dumont, exhibited at the Center for Space Culture and Tourist Information (CCEIT). Families and friends of CLBI staff and partner agencies attended an institutional lecture in the Center’s auditorium, which [Click here to download the original image] contextualized the launch and tracking activity, ending the visit with the presentation of the final chronology and the launch of the rockets from a safe place.
Finally, the CLBI Director emphasized the work done. “In addition to establishing an integrated channel of support and cooperation with local civilian and military sectors, to ensure compliance with all protocols provided for an efficient and safe launch, CLBI-DCTA fulfilled the objective of providing society with the opportunity to experience exciting and unforgettable moments of science, technology, innovation and space”, he concluded.