China, Brazil to launch 24/7 disaster early warning satellite for South America

After almost four decades of international cooperation in space affairs, Brazil and China have unveiled details of a new project to launch a powerful meteorological and environmental satellite.

It will be capable of monitoring the whole of South America, according to the space sciences department at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

Adenilson Roberto da Silva, general coordinator of engineering and technology with the INPE, said the satellite would provide “improved weather forecasting, disaster monitoring and early-warning systems that can save lives”.

Details of the CBERS-5 (Chinese-Brazilian Satellite of Earth Resources) programme were first presented following technical meetings held in May between the INPE and a Chinese delegation.

The satellite is scheduled to be launched from a Chinese launch site in 2030. The two countries will work together on various aspects of the project.

“Under the agreement reached between the two countries, Brazil will be responsible for the satellite platform, while China will be responsible for the meteorological and environmental payload,” INPE said in a press release.