Meeting strengthens relations between Brazil and Germany in the space sector
Air Force Agency – IAE, by Aspirant Rebeka Falcão
The Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA) hosted, through the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE), members of the German Space Center (DLR), an organization that carries out research and development activities in the areas of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalization. The meeting took place at the beginning of August.
On that occasion, the Director of the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), Professor Felix Huber; the Director of Mobile Raketenbasis (MORABA), Rainer Kirchhartz; and the Launch Manager, Alexander Marcel Kallenbach – all from the DLR team – were received by the Director of IAE, Air Brigadier Frederico Casarino, for an agenda of meetings about finalizing contracts and planning for future projects. The development of the VS-50, the main engine of the Microsatellite Launch Vehicle (VLM), was one of the points raised at the meeting, as well as the contract for the supply of engines for the VSB-30 and VSB-31 rockets.
For the Director General of the DCTA, Air Brigadier Maurício Augusto Silveira de Medeiros, this cooperation is extremely important, as it aims to mitigate risks and share costs, as well as strengthening Brazil’s autonomous capacity to launch vehicles with the aim of putting satellites into orbit.
For Brigadier Casarino, the relationship between Brazil and Germany contributes directly to Brazil’s aerospace progress, as it promotes cooperation in favor of the development of probes and launch vehicles in the country, supporting the future provision of services in this area, as well as the transfer of knowledge related to technology, which further empowers the technical team and the national industry.
“The DLR team’s arrival this year was aimed at deepening and broadening collaboration between the two institutes, generating greater synergy for accelerating the Brazilian Space Program,” concluded the IAE Director.
Science and Development
Among other activities, the DLR also works with space research and rocket launches, using European Union bases and the VSB-30 suborbital rocket, developed by IAE, to serve the National Space Activities Program (PNAE) in the field of microgravity experiments.
Due to its technical quality, the VSB-30 aroused the interest of the DLR, standing out for its low vibration characteristics and the fact that the repeatability of the launch trajectory is more precise. It is considered by the Germans to be the best suborbital rocket in the world, with engines entirely developed and produced at IAE. DLR is also participating as a partner with Brazil in the development of VLM-1 systems.
For more than five decades, Brazil has had a relationship with Germany focused on the space segment, with IAE as the main member of this partnership, which began with the General Agreement for Cooperation on Science and Technological Development, signed in the German city of Bonn on July 9, 1969.
Photos: Corporal J. Alves / DCTA, IAE Collection and Andøya Launch Center