Brazil and China are working together on the CBERS 5, the first geostationary satellite developed under their more than three-decade-long space alliance.
The project, announced by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), is scheduled for launch in 2030 and will mark a technological leap compared to the six previously built low-orbit satellites.
Capabilities and Objectives
The CBERS 5 will enable:
- Continuous real-time monitoring of the entire Brazilian territory.
- Provision of meteorological and environmental images to detect storms, droughts, and floods.
- Strengthening of environmental observation infrastructure, crucial for adaptation to climate change.
- Technological migration of Brazil towards mastering geostationary satellites, expanding its strategic capabilities in the space sector.
Division of Responsibilities
According to the bilateral agreement:
- Brazil will develop the Geostationary Multi-Mission Platform (GeoMMP).
- China will be responsible for the meteorological and environmental payload, including observation instruments.
The coordinator of Inpe, Adenilson Roberto da Silva, highlighted that the mission will allow Brazil to advance to a new level of technological and scientific autonomy.
Background of Cooperation
The CBERS series (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) has already had tangible impacts in Brazil:
- CBERS-4 and CBERS-4A: provide free images to monitor deforestation, fires, water resources, and land use changes in the Amazon.
- These data doubled the volume of images available to public agencies and researchers, being fundamental for environmental regulation and urban planning.
Immediate Future: CBERS 6
Before the launch of CBERS 5, the CBERS 6 is planned, which will be the first in the series equipped with radar.
- It will fly in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.
- It will capture images regardless of cloud cover or daylight.
- Its combination with the geostationary monitoring of CBERS 5 will expand Brazil’s capacity to detect deforestation, illegal burns, soil degradation, and extreme phenomena.
Strategic Impact
The transition to geostationary satellites represents a profound change for Brazil:
- Greater technological autonomy in the space sector.
- Immediate response capability to natural disasters.
- Strengthening international cooperation with China in technology transfer.
- Consolidation of Brazil’s regional position as a leader in environmental observation and climate management.
The CBERS 5 symbolizes a new chapter in space cooperation between Brazil and China. With real-time monitoring and advanced capabilities, the satellite will be a strategic tool to face the challenges of climate change and protect natural resources.
The combination with CBERS 6 will consolidate a robust environmental surveillance system that will benefit both Brazil and the international scientific community.
