The Jair Bolsonaro government (no party) signed an agreement on Tuesday (15) in support of a U.S. government program to send a crew to the moon in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the agreement lays down principles and guidelines for international cooperation in space exploration, including peaceful purposes, transparency and data disclosure.
According to the folder, Brazil is the only country in Latin America and the 12th to have signed the partnership to join NASA’s Artemis program and return to the moon, the list includes Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg in addition to the US , United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, South Korea, New Zealand and Ukraine.
Science and Technology Minister Marcos Pontes said Brazil’s entry into the Artemis program was “a big leap for the Brazilian space program”. “This program is returning to the moon with manned missions and today Brazil is joining in that effort,” said the minister and former astronaut.
The ceremony at the Planalto Palace was attended by President Bolsonaro, Minister Carlos França (Foreign Affairs) and the US Ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman. Both NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a video message.
Brazil’s accession to the Artemis program does not initially involve any investments by the country.
“There are no resources involved at the moment. As Brazil is integrating into the various missions and activities of the program, individual and separate contracts can be signed for each of these phases,” he said.
Todd Chapman, in turn, said the Artemis Accords “are part of a wider effort by their signatories to work together for peaceful civilian exploration of space.” “I hope to see the Brazilian flag on the moon next to the US flag,” he said.
He also stated that the U.S. government’s plan is for the crew to be the first woman and black to land on the satellite after returning from human missions to the moon.
After the ceremony, Pontes was asked if the crew slated to travel to the moon in 2024 would consist entirely of Americans. He said yes, but other countries could join any missions under the agreement.