The Brazilian government signed a space technology safeguard agreement (TSA) with the US with hopes to revive its own activities in the sector and cash in on commercial opportunities.
The idea is that Brazil would be able to claim a share of the space launch business, estimated to generate nearly $300 billion a year, by allowing US companies to launch out of the Brazilian Air Force’s Alcantara Launch Center.
Launching from Alcantara is interesting to American rocket companies as it’s cheaper because of shorter flights. “Because of the location, tremendous amounts of money would be saved,” US president Donald Trump said at a press conference with Brazil’s Bolsonaro, who visited Washington last week.
Under the agreement, the Brazilian government hopes to generate about $150 million yearly with activities in the Alcantara launch site near the equator. Exchanges around technology best-practices with the involved parties are also expected as part of the TSA.
According to Bolsonaro, his government will pursue space technology safeguard agreements with other countries.