Brazil will have, this year, a new satellite communication system capable of handling the information traffic of the Armed Forces and also allowing for the expansion of broadband. This way, Internet access will be faster and more effective for Brazilians in remote regions.
The Minister of Defense, Raul Jungmann, along with the president of Telebras, Antonio Loss, received the Geostationary Defense and Communications Satellite (SGDC), dedicated to the communications of the Brazilian government and fully controlled by Brazil. The event took place in Cannes, in southern France, where the headquarters of Thales Alenia Space (TAS), the equipment supplier, is located.
“This satellite is ready and, when launched into orbit, will have a civil function, which is to bring broadband to all Brazilians, thus ending exclusion. In the military area, it will ensure sovereignty and prevent cases of espionage. All of this represents a great leap in social inclusion from Oiapoque to Chuí, from Cabeça do Cachorro to Fernando de Noronha,” said the minister.
Officially received from Thales Alenia, the equipment is now undergoing packaging and will arrive in Kourou, French Guiana, by the first quarter of 2017. It is from there that the satellite will be placed into orbit on March 21, according to the schedule of the group responsible for the development of the equipment.Partnership
The Brazilian delegation checked, at the headquarters of the French group, the presentation of the SGDC project, as well as the screening of a film showing the participation of a group of 51 Brazilian engineers and technicians involved in the exchange of technological experiences regarding the development of the Satellite and its functions.
The meeting was led by Bertrand Maureau, one of the main executives of the Thales group. “I want to affirm here that we managed to carry out this work in partnership with Brazilian engineers and companies. From now on, our strategy is to include companies in other areas, ensuring total integration,” Bertrand stated.Geostationary Satellite
The project is a partnership between the Ministries of Defense and Science, Technology, Innovations, and Communications, and involves investments of around R$ 2.1 billion.
The satellite, acquired by Telebras, will have a KA band, which will be used for the government’s strategic communications and the implementation of the National Broadband Program (PNBL), and an X band, which corresponds to 30% of the equipment, for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense invested about R$ 500 million for the use of the X band for the next 18 years, the estimated lifespan of the product.
With this, Brazil will become part of the select group of countries that have their own geostationary communications satellite, no longer needing to rent equipment from private companies, which will generate significant savings and greater security in its communications.
Moreover, by enhancing the security of defense communications, the SGDC will expand the operational capacity of the Armed Forces, for example, in joint operations in border areas, in potential rescue operations at sea, and also in airspace control.
“This first satellite represents a huge leap in terms of defense communications, will safely expand our capacity, and therefore represents a significant advancement for the Country,” emphasized the Minister of Defense.
In addition to ensuring independence and sovereignty in defense communications, the agreement signed with France involved a broad process of absorption and technology transfer.Source: Ministry of Defense