Bolsonaro confirms astronaut to lead Science, Technology Ministry

Brazil President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro confirmed the appointment of astronaut Marcos Pontes as minister of science and technology. Pontes, a retired military agent and an engineer graduated from the Instituto de Tecnologia da Aeronáutica (ITA), is the fourth minister confirmed by Bolsonaro. The president-elect wrote the announcement on his Twitter page on Wednesday (Oct. 31).

In addition to Pontes, the names expected to be part of the president-elect’s cabinet team are Federal Deputy Onyx Lorenzoni as chief of staff, General Augusto Heleno as defense minister, and economist Paulo Guedes, head of the Economy Ministry—the result of a merger of three ministries: Finance; Planning; and Industry, Foreign Trade, and Services.

Pontes had been eyed since before the elections. After his win, Bolsonaro said there were still a few arrangements to be made before the official announcement was made. The astronaut published a video on his social media yesterday saying the invitation was to be accepted.