Brasília - Presidenta Dilma visita as obras de infraestrutura do Satélite Geoestacionário de Defesa e Comunicações Estratégicas, do Centro de Operações Espaciais do VI Comar da Aeronáutica (José Cruz/Agência Brasil)

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Brazil satellite launch rescheduled for Wednesday

This will be the first Brazilian geostationary satellite for civil and

Published on 20/03/2017 - 18:03 By Sabrina Craide reports from Agência Brasil - Brasília

Brasília - Presidenta Dilma visita as obras de infraestrutura de solo para operação do Satélite Geoestacionário de Defesa e Comunicações Estratégicas, do Centro de Operações Espaciais-COPE/ VI Comar da Aeroná — Acquired by Telebras, the piece of equipment will be used for the government's strategic communication and for expanding the country's broadband supply, especially in remote areasJosé Cruz/Agência Brasil

The launch of the Geostationary Satellite for Defense and Strategic Communication into space, which had been slated for tomorrow (Mar. 21), was rescheduled for Wednesday (22), due to a general strike in the French Guiana, where the operation is set to take place, according to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication. The launch window is to set to start at 5:31 pm and end at 8:20 pm, Brasília time.

This will be the first Brazilian geostationary satellite for civil and military use. Acquired by Telebras, the piece of equipment will be used for the government's strategic communication and for expanding the country's broadband supply, especially in remote areas. Approximately 30% of the satellite capacity will be used exclusively by the Armed Forces.

The satellite, 5.8 tons heavy and five meters tall, will be placed 36 thousand kilometers from the surface of the Earth, serving all of the Brazilian territory plus the Atlantic Ocean. The satellite is said to be capable of operating for 18 years.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

Fonte: Brazil satellite launch rescheduled for Wednesday

Edition: Amanda Cieglinski / José Romildo