NASA, Brazil sign agreement to advance space research

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Brazilian Space Agency President José Raimundo Braga Coelho have signed agreements to advance research into heliophysics and space weather, and to enhance global climate study and educational opportunities.

“I am delighted to expand our relationship with our long time exploration partner Brazil through these agreements,” Bolden said. “This partnership encompasses critical work not only to understand our planet, but also to help develop the leaders of tomorrow, and we look forward to many positive outcomes.”

The agreement builds on the framework agreement between the United States and Brazil for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The two space agencies finalized an implementing arrangement that will allow Brazil to acquire and process space weather data from NASA’s Van Allen Probes mission. In addition, the agreement enables Brazilian participation in missions studying the sun’s impacts on Earth’s space environment.

“Brazil has an incredibly talented group of researchers and young people that are eager to participate in and enrich the unique scientific and educational opportunities that NASA affords,” Coelho said. “I am happy that the NASA-Brazil partnership continues to grow through these activities that promise to be fruitful for our two agencies and nations.”