The program comes to Brazil for the first time and is held by ITA, INPE and the City of São José dos Campos
Air Force Agency – ITA, by Lieutenant Leonardo
On June 26th, in a ceremony held at the Marco Antonio Raupp Auditorium, in the Technology Park of São José dos Campos (SP), was held the official opening of the Space Studies Program (SSP 23), the main study program of the space sector in the world and that, for the first time, is held in Brazil. The activities are organized by the International Space University (ISU) together with the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA), the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) and the São José dos Campos City Hall.
In the occasion were present the General Director of the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA), Air Lieutenant Brigadier Maurício Augusto Silveira de Medeiros, representing the Aeronautics Commander; the Rector of ITA, Professor Anderson Ribeiro Correia; the acting Governor of São Paulo State, Felício Ramuth; the representative of the Ministry of Communications, Rômulo Barbosa; the representative of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Guilherme de Paula Correa; the Director of INPE, Clézio Marcos de Nardin; the President of ISU, Pascale Ehrenfreund, among other civil, military and academic authorities.
In his words, DCTA’s Director-General highlighted the importance of the event for the aerospace sector and took the opportunity to remember the 150th anniversary of Santos Dumont’s birth. “Much more than creating the airplane, his invention was a milestone that truly gave birth to this entire ecosystem that we now call the aerospace sector. The space vocation is ingrained in our DNA and this important initiative of the International Space University will certainly enable a constructive collaboration to solve critical global challenges related to the space sector in Brazil and the other countries represented here,” he said.
ITA’s Rector talked about the importance of the Institute for the development of the Brazilian aerospace sector and how partnerships like this one, together with INPE, São José dos Campos City Hall and ISU, are relevant for national strengthening. “We all have very similar values, such as the search for excellence, focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We are sure that, after the program, we will have new opportunities to develop more international cooperation partnerships,” added Professor Anderson Correia.
During her speech, the ISU President explained that what they will see in these coming weeks is that the universe is no longer an abstract concept, because it is integrated into the economy. “The space sector is growing fast and generating many jobs, so what we are creating are pathways for international connections and to boost careers. I want to thank Brazil very much for the structure and the warm welcome,” exalted Pascale Ehrenfreund.
In a collaboration, ITA, INPE and the City of São José dos Campos joined efforts to meet the needs of the program that, since 1988, has graduated more than 5,400 students from 110 different countries. Besides SSP 23 being held in an academic environment, free events will be held for the entire community, aiming to bring the population closer to the space sector and to some of the content studied during the course. The program includes talks with astronauts, robot competitions and rocket launches.
About the Space Studies Program
Organized by ISU (International Space University), the Space Studies Program 2023 (SSP 23) is considered the largest space studies event in the world, offering the most important and comprehensive training program in the industry. It is a nine-week, 1,000-hour intensive program in all areas of space knowledge.
Held every year in a different location around the world, this will be the 35th edition of SSP 23 and the first time that Brazil will host the event. During the event, about 500 people from 50 different countries, including scientists, astronauts, researchers and executives from companies and agencies related to the space sector, are expected to circulate in São José dos Campos.
The event is also supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), DCTA and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
Photos: Lieutenant Daniela / GAP-SJ