National Institute for Space Research
Encyclopedia
The National Institute for Space Research is a research unit of the Brazilian
Ministry of Science and Technology
, whose main goals are fostering scientific research and technological applications and qualifying personnel in the fields of space
and atmospheric sciences
, space engineering
, and space technology
. While INPE is the civilian research center for aerospace activities, the Brazilian Air Force
's General Command for Aerospace Technology is the military arm. INPE is located in the city of São José dos Campos
, São Paulo.
Jânio Quadros
signed a decree which created the Organizing Group for the National Commission on Space Activities (COGNAE). This group would give rise to the current National Institute for Space Research.
COGNAE, which shorty after became known as CNAE, started its activities by stimulating, coordinating and supporting studies on space
related areas, besides breeding a team of skilled researcher
s and establishing cooperation with leading nations on the space area.
Initially, the research program was developed through its laboratories in São José dos Campos
— still the main campus today. The studies included ionosphere
sounding in the upper atmosphere through devices placed on the ground and mainly through scientific rocket payloads launched from the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center, near Natal
.
On April 22, 1971, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) was created, subordinated to the National Research Council
(CNPq). Its first Director was the electronic engineer Fernando de Mendonça
. INPE would be the main civilian executive organ for space research development in accordance with the directives of the Brazilian Commission for Space Activities (COBAE), an advisory organ to the President.
Until the mid-seventies, the main projects carried out by INPE included the usage of meteorological
, communication
s and earth observation satellite
s. This engendered other projects such as:
INPE entered a new era when the Brazilian government approved the Complete Brazilian Space Mission
(MECB) at the end of 1970s. The institute, besides research and applications, started the development of the space technology for specific needs, essential for a country of continental dimensions with immense uninhabited areas.
On March 15, 1985, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) was created and INPE became part of it as an independent organ of the Direct Administration.
During the 1980s, INPE started developing priority programs such as:
It also kept track of other countries' research on the space area, facilitating collaboration and partnership with them. During this period it also established its Integration and Tests Laboratory (LIT) which develops highly specialized activities essential to the Brazilian Space Program.
In the 1990s, the first Brazilian satellite (SCD-1) was launched.
Since 1994, the Brazilian Space Agency
has been responsible for Brazil's space program
. INPE works in close cooperation with the agency.
In 1998, the second Brazilian satellite (SCD-2) was successfully launched, performing even better than the first one. CBERS 1 was launched in 1999, CBERS 2 in 2003 and CBERS 2B in 2007. CBERS-3 is expected to be launched in 2009, CBERS-4 in 2011.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology (Brazil)
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, is the civilian cabinet organization which coordinates science and technology activities in the country...
, whose main goals are fostering scientific research and technological applications and qualifying personnel in the fields of space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
and atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric sciences is an umbrella term for the study of the atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems. Meteorology includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics with a major focus on weather...
, space engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
, and space technology
Space technology
Space technology is technology that is related to entering, and retrieving objects or life forms from space."Every day" technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems critically rely on space infrastructure...
. While INPE is the civilian research center for aerospace activities, the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
's General Command for Aerospace Technology is the military arm. INPE is located in the city of São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos is a municipality and a major city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and one of the most important industrial and research centers in Latin America. It is located in the Paraíba Valley, between the two most active production and consumption regions in the country, São Paulo ...
, São Paulo.
History
On August 3, 1961, PresidentPresident of Brazil
The president of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian Armed Forces...
Jânio Quadros
Jânio Quadros
Jânio da Silva Quadros , , was a Brazilian politician who served as President of Brazil for only 7 months in 1961.-Career:...
signed a decree which created the Organizing Group for the National Commission on Space Activities (COGNAE). This group would give rise to the current National Institute for Space Research.
COGNAE, which shorty after became known as CNAE, started its activities by stimulating, coordinating and supporting studies on space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
related areas, besides breeding a team of skilled researcher
Researcher
A researcher is somebody who performs research, the search for knowledge or in general any systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions.-Examples of research institutions:...
s and establishing cooperation with leading nations on the space area.
Initially, the research program was developed through its laboratories in São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos is a municipality and a major city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and one of the most important industrial and research centers in Latin America. It is located in the Paraíba Valley, between the two most active production and consumption regions in the country, São Paulo ...
— still the main campus today. The studies included ionosphere
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
sounding in the upper atmosphere through devices placed on the ground and mainly through scientific rocket payloads launched from the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center, near Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
.
On April 22, 1971, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) was created, subordinated to the National Research Council
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
The Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico is an organization of the Brazilian federal government under the Ministry of Science and Technology, dedicated to the promotion of scientific and technological research and to the formation of human resources for research in the...
(CNPq). Its first Director was the electronic engineer Fernando de Mendonça
Fernando de Mendonça
Fernando de Mendonça is a Brazilian electronic engineer and researcher, founder and first director of Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. -Career:...
. INPE would be the main civilian executive organ for space research development in accordance with the directives of the Brazilian Commission for Space Activities (COBAE), an advisory organ to the President.
Until the mid-seventies, the main projects carried out by INPE included the usage of meteorological
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
, communication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
s and earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc....
s. This engendered other projects such as:
- MESA - reception and interpretation of meteorological satelliteWeather satelliteThe weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...
images; - SERE - use of satellite remote sensingRemote sensingRemote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
technique and aircraft earth resources monitoring - SACI - that improved the educational system through broadcasting, using a geostationaryGeostationary orbitA geostationary orbit is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earth's equator , with a period equal to the Earth's rotational period and an orbital eccentricity of approximately zero. An object in a geostationary orbit appears motionless, at a fixed position in the sky, to ground observers...
communications satelliteCommunications satelliteA communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...
.
INPE entered a new era when the Brazilian government approved the Complete Brazilian Space Mission
Brazilian space program
The Brazilian space program refers to the rocketry and space exploration programs conducted by Brazil from 1961 until the creation of the Brazilian Space Agency in 1994. It had significant capabilities in launch vehicles, launch sites, and satellite manufacturing. It was based at the National...
(MECB) at the end of 1970s. The institute, besides research and applications, started the development of the space technology for specific needs, essential for a country of continental dimensions with immense uninhabited areas.
On March 15, 1985, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) was created and INPE became part of it as an independent organ of the Direct Administration.
During the 1980s, INPE started developing priority programs such as:
- Complete Brazilian Space MissionBrazilian space programThe Brazilian space program refers to the rocketry and space exploration programs conducted by Brazil from 1961 until the creation of the Brazilian Space Agency in 1994. It had significant capabilities in launch vehicles, launch sites, and satellite manufacturing. It was based at the National...
(MECB), - China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite programChina-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite programThe China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program is a technological cooperation program between Brazil and China which develops and operates Earth observation satellites.-History:...
(CBERS), - AmazonAmazon BasinThe Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
Research Program (AMZ), - Center for Weather Forecast and Climatic Studies (CPTEC).
It also kept track of other countries' research on the space area, facilitating collaboration and partnership with them. During this period it also established its Integration and Tests Laboratory (LIT) which develops highly specialized activities essential to the Brazilian Space Program.
In the 1990s, the first Brazilian satellite (SCD-1) was launched.
Since 1994, the Brazilian Space Agency
Brazilian Space Agency
The Brazilian Space Agency is the civilian authority in Brazil responsible for the country's burgeoning space program. It operates a spaceport at Alcântara and a rocket launch site at Barreira do Inferno...
has been responsible for Brazil's space program
Space exploration
Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
. INPE works in close cooperation with the agency.
In 1998, the second Brazilian satellite (SCD-2) was successfully launched, performing even better than the first one. CBERS 1 was launched in 1999, CBERS 2 in 2003 and CBERS 2B in 2007. CBERS-3 is expected to be launched in 2009, CBERS-4 in 2011.
See also
- Federal institutions of BrazilFederal institutions of Brazil-Legislative branch:*National Congress, Congresso Nacional*Chamber of Deputies, Câmara dos Deputados*Senate of Brazil, Senado Federal*National Court of Audit, Tribunal de Contas da União -Presidency of Brazil, Presidência da República:...
- Brazilian Space AgencyBrazilian Space AgencyThe Brazilian Space Agency is the civilian authority in Brazil responsible for the country's burgeoning space program. It operates a spaceport at Alcântara and a rocket launch site at Barreira do Inferno...
- Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology (CTA)Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology (CTA)The Brazilian General-Command for Aerospace Technology is the national military research center for aviation and space flight of Brazil. It is subordinated to the Brazilian Air Force....
- Aeronautics Technological Institute (ITA)Aeronautics Technological InstituteThe Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica or Aeronautical Institute of Technology is an institution of higher education and advanced research with emphasis in aerospace science and technology maintained by the Brazilian Federal Government with the support of the Brazilian Air Force. It is located...
- Marcos PontesMarcos PontesMarco Pontes is a Brazilian Air Force pilot. He became the first Brazilian and the first Lusophone to go into space when he launched to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-8 on March 30, 2006...
, the first Brazilian astronaut
External links
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE Official website