The event was attended by military personnel from the Space Operations Center (COPE – Centro de Operações Espaciais), which is subordinate to the Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE – Comando de Operações Aeroespaciais), representatives of countries in the Americas and US organizations linked to the space area.
Air Force Agency – COMAE and EMAER – Review: Maj Rodolfo
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took part in the 3rd Space Conference of the Americas (SCA 2024), held from January 30 to February 1 at the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in Doral, Florida. The theme of the conference was “Advancing Space Cooperation through Common Goals” and was attended by around 100 people, with representatives from various countries in the Americas and US organizations linked to the space area.
The FAB representative at the event, Air Force Colonel Alessandro Sorgini D’Amato, presented the highlights of the space area within the Air Force, giving a brief history of achievements up to the current scenario. Colonel D’Amato also highlighted the participation of COPE military personnel who make up the Americas Cell in the activities of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense (JTF-SD) Commercial Operations (JCO).
In addition, during the event several contacts were made with other Forces, especially with the United States Space Force (USSF) and the New York Air National Guard, in search of exchanges of specialists and participation in international exercises, further strengthening existing partnerships.
The Commander of USSOUTHCOM, Army General Laura Richardson, emphasized the importance of space in identifying and combating common threats to the countries of the Americas, from floods to illegal exploitation of natural resources. “It is essential that we establish an international partnership to aggressively and decisively tackle these threats,” she said.
The head of the Brazilian delegation, Air Brigadier Éric Cézzane Cólen Guedes, who will take over as head of COPE in the coming days, suggested the creation of working groups to identify the needs of each country. “It’s also important to establish a roadmap, so that the next SCA can already present results and decisions, because, as was mentioned a few times during the event: ‘The time is now… and we’re late!
JCO is the USSF’s space object monitoring system, and the Cells that support it are interoperable and connected virtually through an environment for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) operations, which allow a shared understanding of activities in orbit and provide non-confidential information to support space operations. In addition, Brazil became the first country to integrate information from tracking radars into this system.
Brazil’s performance in JCO operations was highly praised and, for this reason, Colonel D’Amato also took part in a panel discussion on this system together with representatives from the USA, Canada and Ecuador.
Text and Photos: Colonel Aviator D`Amato / COMAE and Major Engineer Kleiffer / EMAER *** Translated by DEFCONPress FTY Team ***