SatelliteFinance understands that the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) is to issue a Request for Information in November for a new Ka-band satellite that will support the government’s national broadband plan.
Under the Geostationary Satellite Defence and…
SatelliteFinance understands that the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) is to issue a Request for Information in November for a new Ka-band satellite that will support the government’s national broadband plan.
Under the Geostationary Satellite Defence and Strategic Communications project, the AEB is to order a new satellite to provide broadband communications services to underserved areas of the country. In addition, around 15-20% of the satellite’s capacity, in the form of approximately five X-band transponders, is to be designated for military purposes.
The RFI is to be sent to the majority of the global satellite manufacturers and a final decision on the prime vendor is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2013. The total cost of the project is estimated at roughly R$716m (US$389m),
Management of the programme is to be taken on by Visiona Tecnologia Espacial, the satellite joint venture between Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer (51%) and incumbent telco Telebras (49%) that was established earlier this year.
The long term intention is for Visiona to develop its own satellites.
