The Brazilian Space Industry: Geostationary Satellite of Defense and Strategic Communication Program

ABSTRACT Autonomy in satellite communications is a major defense issue for peripheral countries, a problem increased by the difficulties in investing in the construction, launching, and operation of satellite platforms. Indeed, the objective of the present article is to evaluate the Geostationary Satellite of the Defense and Strategic Communication Program as a starting point for the Brazilian space industry, a subsector of the aerospace industry. Thus, the article evaluates the opportunities this program generates for a dormant sector in the country. The goal-attainment model is used to assess whether the policy attained what it prescribed and the impacts of those achievements. In addition, the side-effects model is applied to verify the opportunities prompted by policies and private sector investments outside the determinations of the main regulations and how they help to strengthen the Brazilian space industry. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of the current situation of the Brazilian space industry and defends the main argument that the creation of Visiona as an integrator company, responsible for contracting firms to execute the satellite project, is of strategic importance for the Brazilian space industry.