𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥: 𝐀𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 – 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 2

Following our introduction to New Space Brazil as an alliance of innovative space companies, this second part companies which exemplify the diverse capabilities emerging within Brazil’s space innovation ecosystem.

𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐱 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Acrux Aerospace Technologies, founded in 2008, focuses on developing small satellite launch vehicles and propulsion systems. Their flagship Montenegro MK-II micro-launcher aims to deliver payloads up to 40 kg to orbit, currently progressing through Preliminary Design Review with a planned first launch in 2027. Simultaneously, Acrux collaborates with partners including lead @Akaer on the VLN-AKR small launch vehicle, designed to carry nano and microsatellites into equatorial orbit from Alcântara Launch Center. The company’s expertise extends to sounding rockets, composite structures, and propulsion systems.

𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐍: 𝐏𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐒𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Founded in 2015 by former engineers from INPE, CRON Sistemas e Tecnologias Ltda. specializes in cube and nanosatellite development. Their NanoMirax/CRON-1 is a 2U CubeSat designed to detect X-ray and gamma-ray radiation from cosmic events, has completed environmental testing. It seems the planned launch was postponed. The company provides comprehensive services from platform development to launch support, working within Brazil’s aerospace innovation network.

𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐃: 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐒𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞

USIPED are a mechanical workshop who decided to expand and develop a product to in the space field. The transition happened when they were contracted to manufacture CubeSat frames. Their collaboration on the CRON-1 CubeSat project demonstrates how domestic capabilities contribute to partnerships with companies in the space sector.

𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐄𝐎) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Alya Space develops high-resolution EO nanosatellite and placed a $675 million contract to construct the Alya-1 constellation comprising 108 satellites, combining optical and synthetic aperture radar capabilities for applications in agriculture, mining, and ecological management. The company was founded by Aila Raquel, who is to become the first Latin American CEO, with satellites in orbit.

Alya Space is also collaborating with the Brazilian Space Agency to establish ground stations and a satellite management center in Brazil. These facilities will support the operation of the Alya-1 constellation and contribute to the development of Brazil’s space infrastructure.

As New Space continues to mature in Brazil, this ecosystem of specialized expertise positions the country to develop sovereign space capabilities.