General Laura Richardson, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited the Brazilian Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA) in São Jose dos Campos on May 21. The visit marked a significant step towards a potential aerospace partnership between Brazil and the United States.
General Richardson and her team were welcomed by Major-Brigadier David Almeida Alcoforado, Vice-Director of the DCTA, who provided an overview of the DCTA’s mission to advance scientific and technological solutions in aerospace. The U.S. delegation included Consul General David Hodge and ITA Vice-Rector Professor Dr. Emilia Villani.
Major-Brigadier David emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “We are progressing in specific areas relevant to all of us, such as space. Today, we have the opportunity to send representatives to work in U.S. Space Centers, which is a mutual benefit. The visit from SOUTHCOM is crucial not only for enhancing this partnership but also for the opportunities it brings in terms of courses, training, and mutual support.”
General Richardson echoed these sentiments, noting, “We are pleased to have built a more personal relationship with our leadership and had the chance to see firsthand the short-term possibilities for ongoing collaboration, especially in the aerospace field.”
During the visit, Professor Dr. Luís Eduardo Vergueiro Loures da Costa presented the ITASAT-2 project, which involves a constellation of three satellites monitoring space weather and geolocating radio frequency emissions on land and sea. This project underscores the potential for innovative cooperation between the two nations in the aerospace sector.
The delegation also toured the ITA Space Center (CEI), aimed at providing national solutions to space-related challenges and reducing international dependency by leveraging internal resources. The CEI is noted for its development in unexplored areas of space activities essential to Brazil.
The visit highlighted the shared goals of the U.S. and Brazil in advancing aerospace technology and fostering a strong bilateral relationship. According to Major-Brigadier David, “We have many capabilities that can be made available for the International Cooperation System.”
This visit symbolizes a commitment to mutual growth and collaboration in aerospace, with both nations looking forward to future joint initiatives and strengthening their ties through innovation and shared expertise.
