National Institute for Space Research

The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) is a search unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), whose main goals lie in development scientific research and technological applications and in qualifying personnel in the fields of Space and Atmospheric Sciences and Applications and Space Engineering and Space Technology. While INPE is the civilian research center for aerospace activities, the Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology is the research military arm. INPE is located in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo. On August 3, 1961, the Brazilian President Janio Quadros signed a decree which created the Organizing Group for the National Commission on Space Activities (COGNAE). This group would give rise to the current National Institute for Space Research.

COGNAE, which soon became known as CNAE, started its activities by stimulating, coordinating and supporting studies on the space related area, besides breeding a team of skilled researchers and establishing cooperation with leading nations on the space area. Initially, the research program was developed its laboratories in Sao Jose dos Campos - still the main campus today and it was personally related with studies in the field of space and atmospheric sciences. These studies integrated ionosphere sounding in the upper atmosphere through devices placed on the ground and mainly through scientific rocket payloads launched from Barreira do Inferno, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte.

On April 22, 1971, the Institute for Space Research (INPE) was created, subordinated to the National Research Council (CNPq). INPE would be the main civilian executive organ for space research development in accordance with the directives of the Brazilian Commission for Space Activities (COBAE), an advisory organ of the Republic Presidency. Until the mid-seventies, these were the major projects carried out by INPE included the usage of meteorological, communications and earth observation satellites. This aggravated other projects such as:

• MESA - reception and interpretation of meteorological satellite images;
• SERE - use of satellite remote sensing technique and aircraft earth resources monitoring
• SACI - that improved the educational system through broadcasting, using a geostationary communications satellite.