Brazil's SGDC satellite cleared for manufacture
The Brazilian Air Force announced on 9 January that the Geostationary Defence and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC) has completed its design review and received approval for manufacturing.
The SGDC is the first satellite to be completely controlled by Brazilian institutes. All its systems and subsystems were inspected in detail during the review. The 5.8-tonne satellite will launch in the second half of 2015 and orbit 35,786km above the surface of the earth. It will have a 15-year lifespan and provide exclusive military communications channels.
The satellite will also facilitate the implementation of the National Broadband Plan (PNBL), bringing quality communication to the most remote regions of Brazil, which still depend on fibre optic routes. Its design and control programme also called for technology transfer, which will allow Brazil to disseminate the technology in several domestic areas - especially to the defence industry.
The design review took place in Toulouse, France. Experts from Telebras, the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the Visiona company participated.
Col. Hélcio Vieira Junior, commander of NUCOPE-P, said: 'This was the last step before manufacturing begins of a satellite that will be extremely important for the Ministry of Defense and for Brazil. In 2015, buildings will be built where the SGDC will be controlled. One will be in Brasilia, at the Sixth Regional Air Command, and the other in Rio de Janeiro, at the Naval Radio Station.'
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
