The Alcantara Launch Base, located on Brazil’s northern Atlantic coast in the state of Maranhao. Photo Credit: Brazilian Air Force

Government representatives from Brazil and the United States will resume negotiations that failed 15 years ago to allow the U.S. to use Brazil’s Alcantara Launch Base for its satellites. The decision to rekindle stalled talks followed a meeting between Brazil’s Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 4.

Unlike the situation in 2002, Brazil now says that it may not necessarily demand U.S. technological knowhow, something that was considered a violation to Brazil’s sovereignty when the U.S. refused previously. If Brazilian officials can work around these clauses of contention, then the U.S. could benefit from the Alcantara base’s favorable position, just 140 miles from the equatorial line, saving fuel for launching satellites.

Read more at The Rio Times >>