The Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), through its agencies Finep and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), is leading the development of the country’s first domestically built micro launcher, the Microlançador Brasileiro (ML-BR). The project aims to enable launches of small satellites into low Earth orbit from the Alcântara Launch Centre, leveraging Brazil’s equatorial location for greater fuel efficiency and payload capacity. The initiative is being executed in partnership with a consortium of Brazilian aerospace companies, including Cenic, Concert Space, PlasmaHub, and Delsis, with strategic support from the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) and the Brazilian Aerospace Industries Association (AIAB). In mid-2024, the project successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR), showcasing technical plans for propulsion, navigation, telemetry, and launch infrastructure. The next milestone, the Critical Design Review (CDR), is scheduled for June 2025. The ML-BR project represents a new model of public-private collaboration in Brazil’s space sector, with the government providing funding and coordination to stimulate national innovation and industrial capability.

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for access to space

• Technical and engineering capabilities for operation of launchsite

• Ground infrastructure (engine test stands, labs, propellant facilities, AIT facilities, clean rooms, etc.)

• Suitable space for launches, ideally a coastal or desert location with clear range over uninhabited areas and testing and range facilities (or agreements to use partner facilities)

• Clear regulatory framework for launch licensing, safety, and liability

• Export-control compliance, insurance, and mission assurance processes

• Partnerships with experienced launch providers 

• Cybersecurity, data protection, and continuity planning

Cost:

• Ballpark (operational micro launcher to LEO, ~30–300 kg class): USD 150M–500M + USD 10M–30M/yr (OPEX)

• Includes: end-to-end vehicle architecture and propulsion development, qualification of engines and stages, avionics/flight software and ground segment, pad construction or adaptation and propellant systems, mission control and range assets, supply-chain tooling and QA, regulatory certification and insurance, initial launch cadence build-up and operations

In the use case illustrated, Finep, which is part of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, has awarded a total of 75.4M USD for the project. The funding is distributed between two primary consortia: 37.72M USD awarded to the consortium led by Aaker, and 39.08M USD awarded to the consortium led by CENIC for the development of a micro launcher prototype.

Timeframe:

• Overall 60–120 mo

• Phase: system design & trade studies (12–18 mo), infrastructure build & test capability (12–24 mo), full vehicle development & qualification (24–36 mo), licensing, first commercial missions & ramp-up (12–24 mo)

Pros:

• Government Leadership and Funding - Public sector involvement ensures strategic alignment with national priorities and provides stable funding to de-risk early-stage development.

• Sovereign Access to Space - Enables independent launch capabilities for small satellites, reducing reliance on foreign providers and enhancing national security and autonomy.

• Geographic Advantage - Launching from a site near the equator improves fuel efficiency and payload capacity, making the initiative more competitive globally.

• Public-Private Collaboration- Encourages innovation and industrial growth by involving local aerospace companies, startups, and research institutions.

• Capacity Building - Strengthens domestic expertise in propulsion, avionics, telemetry, and systems engineering, laying the foundation for future space programs.

Considerations:

• Development Delays - Initial launch dates have been postponed, reflecting the challenges inherent in aerospace development.

• Financial Risk - High capital requirements and reliance on continued investment pose financial risks.

• Regulatory Hurdles - Navigating complex regulatory environments can lead to additional delays and costs.