Brazilian satellite communications company, Visiona Tecnologia Espacial S.A., obtained contracts on Dec. 12, 2013, with Thales Alenia Space (TAS) and Arianespace, which have respectively agreed to furnish a satellite and its launching. The contact with the satellite supplier also provides for the transfer of technology to Brazilian companies, under the coordination of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB).
These supplier contracts were finalized by Visiona just 2 weeks after signing a contract with Telebras, the end customer of the SGDC (Strategic Defense and Communications Geostationary Satellite) system. "Another relevant stage of the project has been concluded, allowing us to move forward with the work of developing the system," states Visiona President Nelson Salgado.
The supplier selection process took 12 months and was based on international best practices, focusing on meeting the technical, operational, and economic parameters of the project, as well as the requirements set forth by the Brazilian government for technology transfer.
With the SGDC system, Brazil intends not only to gain national sovereignty in strategic civilian and military communications, but also nationwide broadband Internet access.
Visiona is a company jointly owned by Embraer and Telebras, controlled by Embraer and founded with the initial objective of integrating the Defense and Strategic Communications Geostationary Satellite (SGDC) system of the Brazilian government, which addresses the satellite communications needs of the federal government, including the National Broadband Program (PNBL) and a broad spectrum of strategic and defense communications.
Visiona has also the goal of becoming a satellite integration company, focusing on the demands of the National Space Activities Program (PNAE/AEB) and of the Strategic Space Systems Program (PESE/FAB).
Source: Embraer S.A.