BRAZILIAN SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 2, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
25X1
bask uovo@OeTy unQeppFeMb?n Pep?PQ
MD) mmmumn Opmca LMi.ith
V0
(B pTo o emu .
Mt)S50LEE ~3A~ICC~S: ?TIAUECCICC SSSM SPACE W U TIIIE
BE: Vito?u
SS(C-628465/82
RCA-11 5/0nn-& /02
`N?~1~fYil[8s2it5irsXu~ffiB
Copy 23
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02: CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret I
Brazilian Space La
Apr 82
unch Vehicle Program
Installation Geographic
Coordinates
Sao Jose dos Campos 23-13-46S
Airfield 035-51-40W
Sao Jose dos Campos 23-13-06S
Inst Tech Aero (CTA) 045-52-21W
Cachoeira Paulista Lab 22-41-OOS
Rocket Fuel INPE 044-59-50W
Piquete Explos Plant 22-36-54S
Presidente Vargas 045-12-37W
AVIBRAS Aerospace Prod 23-13-45S
Fac 045-51-10W
AVIBRAS Santa Branca 23-22-OOS
Plant 2 046-08-OOW
Barreira do Inferno Space 05-55-OOS
Assembly Fac 035-15-OOW
Barreira do Inferno 05-55-OOS
Rocket Range 035-09-OOW
Alcantara Space Launch 02-21-30S
Facility 044-26-OOW
Cachimbo Mil Weapons 09-21-27S
Test Fac 054-55-15W
BE
No
COMIREX
No
MRN
No
ABSTRACT
1. (S/WN) This report presents an overview of the Brazilian aerospace program and the major
installations related to space research, development, production, and testing. It includes a sounding
rocket and proposed space launch vehicle comparison chart, a location map, four tables, and eight
annotated photographs.
INTRODUCTION
2. (S/WN) Brazil has embarked on an ambitious aerospace program intended to make it self-
sufficient in space technology and capable of producing, launching, and maintaining a satellite in space.
To achieve self sufficiency, Brazil has initiated a number of plans and programs which include expansion
of facilities presently involved in aerospace research and development (R&D), development of the means
to domestically produce the necessary propellants and parts for the propulsion systems, and construction
of new test and launch facilities. Current plans call for a launch of a new-generation sounding rocket
(Sonda IV) by 1983 and the launch of a four-stage space launch vehicle (SLV) by 1988.1
3. (U) Brazil's space program, begun in 1961, has resulted in the successful development of a series
of small sounding rockets (Sonda I, II, and III; Figure 1), used mainly for meteorological research. The
latest operational sounding rocket, the Sonda III, can transport a 50-kilogram payload to an altitude of 500
kilometers (km). The Sonda IV, currently under development, will be more complex and technically
Secret RCA-15/0004/82
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret)
advanced. It has a projected capability of transporting a 300-kilogram payload to an altitude of 1,000 km.2
The proposed SLV is expected to be a four-stage vehicle capable of launching a 120-kilogram satellite into
earth orbit at an altitude of 500 to 800 km. The SLV is to be 85 percent Brazilian designed and built, with
only certain propulsion and guidance components being imported. The lower stage will probably consist
of four or five clustered stages of the Sonda IV rocket, with the second and third stages each made up of
one of the other Sonda rockets. Initial plans had called for a joint Brazilian-French liquid-fueled SLV;
however, these plans collapsed because of disagreement on the transfer of technology. The first launch
of the proposed SLV is currently scheduled for 1988, with three additional launches to follow over the
next five years.' However, this timetable, already pushed back from 1985, may be further delayed.
4. (S/WN) Most of the major Brazilian aerospace-related facilities (Figure 2) are in the Paraiba
Valley, Brazil's most industrialized region. R&D and production work on propulsion systems is performed
at the Sao lose dos Campos Complex. Propellant production is accomplished at Piquete, and the rocket
launch site is at Barreira do Inferno. Additional facilities currently under construction include a rocket
fuel laboratory for research on liquid propellants at Cachoeira Paulista, a guided-missile production
facility at Santa Branca, and a military weapons test range at Cachimbo. A proposed rocket launch site is
also scheduled to be constructed at Alcantara.
DESIGNATOR
NO. OF HEIGHT PAYLOAD
STAGES (m) WEIGHT (kg)
MAXIMUM
ALTITUDE (km)
SONDA 1
1
5
120
SONDA II*
1
20-60
80-370
SONDA III
2
50
500
SONDA IV
2
300
1,000
SLV Proposed**
4 (est)
100-120 (est)
500-800(est)
*Sonda II built in 3 versions.
*"Payload parameters are for proposed first satellite; does not represent total capacity.
ou
I
N
SONDA I SONDA II * SONDA III SONDA IV SLV **
XP!C T-5030
FIGURE 1. COMPARISON OF BRAZILIAN SOUNDING ROCKETS AND PROPOSED SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE
SC-628465182 Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret
R&D Facilities
5. (S/WN) The majority of the R&D for Brazilian military and civilian aerospace projects is con-
ducted at the Sao Jose dos Campos Complex (Figure 3).
6. (S/WN) Military R&D for space vehicles, missiles, and aircraft is the responsibility of the Aero-
space Technical Center (Centro Tecnico Aerospacial-CTA). The CTA, sponsored by the Brazilian Air
Force Department of Research and Development, is a university and research center consisting of four
institutes. The two institutes directly involved with the space program are the Aerospace Institute (Insti-
tuto do Atividades Espaciais-IAE) and the institute of industrial Coordination (Instituto do Fomento e
Coordenacao Industrial-IFI). The IAE is responsible for the research, development, and prototype con-
struction of scientific and military rockets; the IFI acts as coordinating agency between the CTA and
private industry. The other two institutes, the Institute of Research and Development and the Aeronauti-
cal Institute (Instituto de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento-IPD-and Instituto Tecnico Aeronautica-ITA,
respectively), are involved with theoretical work relating to the Brazilian aerospace industry.
(COLOMBIA
Bogota
Campo Gre
Dourados
OSSO3-?./
PARAIBA
VALLEY
ACRE
Bran' _ Cachimbo
CACOO.OM5`O _
co
RONDONIA '~
PERU Where /
Where M fj'r 0
Urabamba
Cuzco G R lb S S O
t ,-
Benjamin tMARANNAO t C
,( \ taut AMAZON S ~J P A R A Terea irm
~~Jacare? Part?
BOLIVIA
La Paz
YANAI Paramaribo
SkJldon NieuM
coma Etana / ickerie \ Cayenne
J Boa)
/ ~+y
Vista .i/
MAPA
RORNMA /
PARA acapa
`.f Be
" anaus 7 TSantaram ALC
Careiro 1 ~` ~ ~ \
Itanuba
(yW''rupi 1
Barreiras B A H
G I A S Ibotiroma
j ~?
i -1
rasilia \. t
Cuiaba~ J DtSTR 19
MATO\GR
00
Picas
? CURRENT AEROSPACE RELATED FACILITIES
o FACOLITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR PROPOSED
BASIC DESCRIPTION
Boundary representation s
not necessarily authoritative.
SC-628465/82 Secret R CA-15/0004/82
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret)
7. (S/WN) The IAE (Figure 4 and Table 1), the largest of the four institutes, developed the Sonda
rockets and has been developing the electronics, guidance, instrumentation, and propulsion systems for
the proposed SLV. The IAE consists of a large administration/engineering area, a solid-propellant pilot
plant, a pilot plant for rocket fuels, a wind tunnel area, and a projectile test area. The administration/en-
gineering area contains five laboratory/engineering buildings, a laboratory building, five administration /
support buildings, and a probable aeroballistic test range. The solid-propellant pilot plant contains four
propellant preparation buildings, two propellant processing buildings, a checkout-building, a rocket
motor test cell with diffuser, one nondestruct test building, two laboratory/engineering buildings, two
probable engineering buildings, and seven bunkered storage buildings. The pilot plant for rocket fuels
contains a large, multistory laboratory building, with four horizontal storage tanks at the west end, and
three support buildings (one annotated on graphic). The wind tunnel area contains a closed-circuit wind
tunnel, an instrumentation building, a laboratory building, and an ,electronics equipment building. The
projectile test area contains a projectile test range, a test track, a control building, and an instrumenta-
tion/camera building. Several laboratory/engineering buildings and major test facilities were added to
the IAE between 1977 and 1981.
8. (S/WN) The principal agency for civilian space research, the National Institute of Space Research
(Instituto National de Pesquisas Espaciais-INPE), is collocated with IAE (Figure 4). Founded in 1961 by
CTA engineers, INPE was originally named the National Commission for Space Activities (Commissao
National de Atividades Espaciais-CNAE). INPE concentrates on pure and applied research projects in all
aspects of space technology. Although this institute works primarily on civilian projects, including mete-
orological, atmospheric, and ionospheric research, it also direirts military-related space projects. INPE
assisted with the design of the Sonda rockets and currently is heavily involved in the design of satellites
and their support systems. In addition, INPE directs the Barreira do Inferno Rocket Range and also
operates two satellite ground stations and four modern satellite tracking stations.3
9. (S/WN) The INPE headquarters facility consists of a laboratory/engineering area, a meteorologi-
cal/astrophysics area, and an administration/support area. The laboratory/engineering area contains
three laboratory/engineering buildings and four support buildings (one annotated on graphic). The
meteorological/astrophysics area contains an astrophysics laboratory/engineering building with two dish
antennas and one helix antenna on the roof, a meteorological dish antenna adjacent to the building, two
probable laboratory/engineering buildings, an administration/engineering building, two probable con-
trol buildings, two probable satellite communications antennas, a dipole antenna, and two instrumenta-
tion/control buildings. The administration/support area includes four administration/engineering build-
ings and a recreation area. Recent expansion in the meteorological/astrophysics area has been the
addition of the administration/engineering building since 1980 and one of the probable satellite commu-
nications antennas and two dish antennas in 1981.
10. (S/WN) INPE has been constructing a laboratory for rocket fuel adjacent to their satellite ground
station at Cachoeira Paulista, 65 nautical miles (nm) northeast of Sao lose dos Campos (Figure 5). The
laboratory will be responsible for research on liquid propellants.4 Construction of the new facility was
first observed in October 1980. Presently, the facility contains a large, C-shaped, multisectional probable
administration/engineering building; a probable laboratory building; at least four support buildings; and
several individually secured storage buildings. The facility is partially wall secured.
Propulsion and Guidance
11. (S/WN) Brazil has not yet attained technological self sufficiency in the areas of propulsion and
guidance, which accounts for the non-Brazilian 15 percent of the SLV. Currently, IAE and INPE have only
pilot facilities for R&D on propulsion- and guidance-related components. Both IAE and INPE are report-
edly working on the development of thrust vector control and inertial guidance. The recent construction
of new laboratory/engineering buildings at IAE and INPE may be related to such research. IAE is also
engaged in some small-scale rocket motor case production at a small modern laboratory for filament
winding using fiber glass.s
Propellant Facilities
12. (S/WN) Nearly all solid propellants for Brazil's current missile and aerospace systems are pro-
duced at the Piquete Explosives Plant Presidente Vargas (Figure 6 and Table 2). Intermediate products
presently produced include nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, while final prod-
ucts include single- and double-base propellants, TNT, dynamite, and various other explosives.6 Brazil
currently does not have the capability to produce the large quantities of composite-modified, double-
base solid propellants needed for the proposed SLV. When Brazil does acquire this capability, this plant is
the most likely to be involved in solid-propellant production for future aerospace systems, including the
proposed SLV. Although operational since 1909, the Presidente Vargas plant has undergone a recent
modernization program. A significant aspect of this modernization was the construction of a French-built,
(Continued p. 9)
SC-628465/82 Secret R CA-15/0004/82
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret
Table 1.
Instituto do Atividades Espaciais and Instituto Nacional
de Pesguisas Espaciais
(Items keyed to Figure 4)
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET/WNINTEL
Item Dimensions
Item Dimensions
No Description (m) Remarks
No Description (m) Remarks
L W H
L W H
IAE
A. Admin/Engineering Area
C. Pilot Plant for Rocket Fuel
1 Lab/engr bldg
Const 73-77
41 Spt bldg
a Sect
42 Lab bldg
b Sect
a High-bay sect
c Sect
b Prob checkout sect
2 Adminspt bldg
D. Wind Tunnel Area
3 Admin/spt bldg
4 Admin/spt bldg
Main sect
43 Lab bldg
5 Admin/spt bldg
44 Electronics equip bldg
6 Lab/engr bldg
Completed Oct 77
45 Closed-circuit wind tunnel
a Sect
a Body of wind tunnel
b Sect
b Fan sect
c Sect
46 Instrumentation bldg
d Sect
E. Projectile Test Area
7 Labengr bldg
Completed 77 dinners
for each wing
47 Control bldg
Const 79-81
8 Instrumentation/control bldg
Const 79-81
48 Test track
Const 79-81
9 Lab/engr bldg
Const 73--77
49 Radome
Const 79-81
10 Lab bldg
Const 73-77
11 Lab/engr bldg
Const 79-81
50 Instrumentation/camera bldg
Const 79-81
12 Admin/spt bldg
Const 79-81, dimens
51 Projectile test range
Const 79-81
for each wing
52 Control bldg
Const 79-81
13 Control bldg
Const 79-81
INPE
14 Prob aeroballistic test range
Const 79- 81
a Firing position
Const 79-81
F. Laboratory/Engineering Area
b Control position
Const 79-81
1 Lab/engr bldg
B. Solid-Propellant Pilot Plant
2 Lab engr bldg
15 Propellant prep bldg
Bunkered, const 79-81
3 Sot bldg
16a Sect
Bunkered, const 79-81
4 Lab%engr bldg
b Sect
Bunkerd const 79-81
G. Meteorological/Astrophysics Area
c Sect
Bunkered, const 79-81
5 Instrumentation 'control bldg
17 Propellant preparation
Bunkered, const 79-81
6 Prob satellite communications
stor bldg
dish antenna
18 Propellant preparaton/
Bunkered: const 79-81
7 Prob satellite communications
star bldg
dish antenna
19 Control bldg
8 Prob lab/engr bldg
20 Rocket motor test cell
9 Dipole antenna
with diffuser
21 Nondestruct test bldg
10 Instrumentation/control bldg
22 Checkout bldg
11 Astrophysics lab'engr bldg
23 Prob engr bldg
a Meteorological dish antenna
24 Prob engr bldg
a Main sect
b Helix antenna
b High-bay sect
25 Lab/engr bldg
c Dish antenna
26 Spt/stor bldg
Main sect
27 Ross warehouse
d Dish antenna
28 Bunkered stor bldg
29 Propellant processing bldg
12 Admin'engr bldg
Const 79-61 dimens
30 Stor bldg
31 Propellant processing bldg
for each sect
32 Lab,'engr bldg
currently being expanded
13 Prod, lab, engr bldg
a High-bay sect
a High-bay sect
b Low-bay sect
33 Warehouse
Bunkered
H. Admin/Support Area
34 Bunkered stor bldg
14 Admin engr bldg
35 Bunkered stor bldg
15 Admn' engr bldg
36 Bunkered stor bldg
16 Admin engr bldg
37 Bunkered stor bldg
a High-bay sect
38 Bunkered stor bldg
b Low-bay sect
39 Bunkered stor bldg
c Main sect
40 Special handling bldg
Bunkered
17 Admin engr bldg
SC-628465/82 Secret R CA-15/0004/82
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
aecrev i
double-base, propellant production line. Construction on the production line had begun by April 1978
and was externally complete by May 1981. In addition, a modern nitroglycerin production line was
installed by the West Germans in the late 1960s, and the Germans are reportedly assisting in the moderni-
zation of the nitrocellulose production process.6 A new acid treatment facility was also constructed
between May 1978 and May 1981.
13. (S/WN) The plant consists of an ingredients preparation area, a nitrocellulose production area, a
probable nitroglycerin production area, a double-base propellant-production area, and an administra-
tion/engineering/transshipment area. The ingredients preparation area contains two probable mix/blend
buildings, at least two ingredients preparation buildings, at least one probable case preparation building,
and 18 support buildings. The nitrocellulose production area contains a receiving building, a nitrator
building, a probable boiler tub house, a probable ingredients preparation building, a probable beating
and pulping building, a probable poaching building, a probable blending house, a probable wringer
house, a warehouse, and an acid storage area. The probable nitroglycerin production area includes a
probable ingredients mix building, a probable nitrator building, two probable wash/separator houses, a
probable filtration building, and a probable acid recovery building with ten adjacent horizontal acid
storage tanks. The double-base propellant-production area consists of a case preparation building, one
probable casting building, two probable curing buildings, two probable mix/blend buildings, a probable
packaging building, two probable warehouses, and six support buildings (one annotated on graphic). In
addition, there are production lines for TNT, other high explosives, and explosive powders. The installa-
tion is road and rail served and uses a nearby electric power station.
14. (S/WN) In support of its plans to be self-sufficient in propellant production, the Brazilian
Government has approved construction of two related facilities for the production of polybutadiene and
ammonium perchlorate, which it currently imports. Polybutadiene, a resin used as fuel, and ammonium
perchlorate, an oxidizer, are the main ingredients used by Brazil for the production of solid-propellant
motors. Large quantities of these materials will be needed in the Sonda IV and the proposed SLV
programs. Brazil currently has the capability of casting solid-propellant motors using small quantities of
these materials, as evidenced by their Sonda I, II, and III sounding rockets. The polybutadiene plant is to
be in the vicinit of and will use the facilities of the Sao Jose dos Campos Refinery and Storage Facility
(REVAP; , one of the largest oil refineries in Latin America.' The refining capabilities
necessary to initiate polybutadiene production have been installed at the refinery since 1979, but to date
no construction of a polybutadiene plant has been observed. Similarly, no construction relating to
ammonium perchlorate production has been identified. Both plants were originally scheduled to be
completed by 1984.
Aerospace Production Facilities
15. (S/WN) The major aerospace-related production facilities are in the Sao Jose dos Campos Com-
plex (Figures 3 and 7).
16. (S/WN) The major producer of aerospace equipment and missiles is AVIBRAS, a firm established
in 1961 as CTA's first contractor. It produces rockets, missiles, satellites, their associated electronics and
other support systems for civilian and military use; it also developed the solid propellant for Brazil's
rockets. In 1980, AVIBRAS exported over 20 million dollars worth of sounding rockets and small tactical
missiles. AVIBRAS' involvement in space activities began in 1965 with its participation in the Sonda I
project and continues today with the production of most components for the Sonda IV and
proposed SLV.7
17. (S/WN) The main AVIBRAS aerospace production facility at Sao Jose dos Campos (Figure 7)
consists of a multisectional building which reportedly covers a much larger underground work area.
Since May 1981, the aboveground portion has gradually been disassembled. A small production area at
the west end of Sao Jose dos Campos Airfield is probably also associated with AVIBRAS and may be
involved in the production of missiles, rockets, and their subsystems (Figure 7). It includes two assembly/-
fabrication buildings, three bunkered probable storage buildings, and a probable electronics area with
two large parabolic dish antennas. Many possible rocket/missile crates have been observed in the area.
AVIBRAS probably uses a nearby stone quarry for testing motors and other components; however, no
test activity has been observed on satellite imagery.
18. (S/WN) AVIBRAS is currently planning to move its major operations involving solid propellants,
rocket motor cases, and missile testing to an isolated island in a lake near the Santa Branca Dam, 12 nm
south of its present site.? No evidence of construction was observed when this area was last imaged in
October 1980.
19. (S/WN) EMBRAER (Figures 3 and 7), Brazil's leading aircraft manufacturer, is also involved in
production and nondestruct testing of rocket and missile airframes. It cooperates closely with CTA and
SC-628465182 Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
JCGI CI
AVIBRAS. Established in 1969, EMBRAER has continually been expanding and has become a major ex-
porter of aircraft, especially the Bandeirante utility aircraft. EMBRAER occupies the northeast side of Sao
Jose dos Campos Airfield, along with its aircraft manufacturing subcontractors, AEROTEC and NEIVA. The
EMBRAER area includes 12 assembly/maintenance buildings, five hangars, three administration build-
ings, a control tower, and five support buildings.
Launch and Test Facilities
20. (S1 Brazil's only major launch area is the Barreira do Inferno Rocket Range (Figure 8 and
Table 3) on the Atlantic Coast. It is operated by the Brazilian Air Force under the auspices of INPE. Since
its opening in 1965, over 2,000 domestically- and foreign-built sounding rockets have been launched from
there, including the Nike-Ajax, Nike-Cajun, Nike-Iroquois, Javelin, Aerobee, Black Brant IV, and the
Brazilian Sondas.e
21. (S/WN) The rocket range contains six launch pads, five with erectable launch rails; a launch
support area; a propellant storage area; a command and control area; an extensive tracking and teleme-
try system; and a support area. Tracking facilities include an American-built Baker-Nunn optical tracker
and a French-built Thomson CSF radar system, which assist in monitoring and transmitting data for the
European Space Agency's Ariane launch facility at Kourou Space Center-Launch Areas
in French Guiana.
22. (S/WN) Final assembly and inspection of the Sonda rockets is performed at the Barreira do
Inferno Space Assembly Facility (Figure 9), which is 5.5 nm west of the launch facility. The facility consists
of a probable vertical checkout stand with water reservoir; four assembly/subassembly buildings, one
with a probable laboratory/engineering section; a final assembly building; two probable inspection
stations; a checkout building; an administration building; three storage/support buildings; and two
storage tanks. Rocket transporters and various other trucks have occasionally been seen there.
23. (S/WN) The Brazilian Government has stated that Barriera do Inferno is considered too small to
be used for the SLV program. The Brazilian Government, therefore, has reportedly expropriated a 500-
square-km area adjacent to Sao Luis Bay on the Atlantic Ocean for construction of a new launch complex
(Alcantara Space Launch Facility). Current plans call for the facility to become operational in 1988 with
the launch of the first proposed SLV.1 As of no construction had been seen in the area.
24. (S/WN) Despite construction of a new facility, INPE plans call for continued use and upgrading
of the Barriera do Inferno Rocket Range. No expansion was observed at the rocket range through
April 1982.
25. (S/WN) Brazil is also constructing a new test range at Cachimbo Military Weapons Test Facility
(Figure 10) to support a medium-range tactical missile program. The range, a 44,000-square-km tract, was
purchased by the government for use as a proving ground. As of the range consisted of
three firing blocks, one probable tracking position, one possible control building, and several small
support buildings. A new airfield (Cachimbo New Airfield, is adjacent to the range. Brazil's
only other operational test area, the Marambaia Proving Grounds I southwest of Rio de
Janeiro, handles only small-arms and ballistics systems.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
SC-628465/82 Secret
RCA-1510004182
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secre~
Table 2.
Piquete Explosives Plant Presidente Vargas
(Items keyed to Figure 6)
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET NIN TEL
Item
No Description
Dimensions
(m)
L W H
Remarks
A. Ingredients Preparation Area
1 Prob mix /blend bldg
2 Ingredients prep bldg
3 Prob case prep bldg
4 Acid stor bldg
5 Prob mix/blend bldg
6 Ingredients prep bldg
B. Nitrocellulose Production Area
7 Prob wringer house
8 Prob blending house
9 Prob poaching bldg
10 Prob beating & pulping bldg
11 Acid stor area
12 Prob ingredients prep bldg
13 Nitrator bldg
14 Prob boiler tub house
15 Warehouse
16 Receiving bldg
C. Probable Nitroglycerin Production Area
17 Prob ingredients mix bldg
18 Prob filtration bldg
19 Prob wash separator house
20 Prob wash/separator house
21 Prob nitrator bldg
22 Acid stor tanks
23 Prob acid recovery bldg
D. Double-Base Propellant-Production Area
24 Prob curing bldg
25 Prob curing bldg
26 Spt bldg
21 Prob mix blend bldg
a Low-bay sect
b High-bay sect
28 Prob packaging bldg
29 Case prep bldg
30 Prob mix/blend bldg
31 Prob casting bldg
32 Prob warehouse
33 Prob warehouse
-11 -
Built by West Germans
1968-1969
Bunkered
Bunkered
Bunkered; height for
higher sect
Bunkered
Revetted
Revetted
Revetted
Installed by
French 78-81
Revetted
Revetted
Revetted
SC-628465%82
Secret RCA - 15/0004/82
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret
Table 3.
Barriera do Inferno Rocket Range
(Items keyed to Figure 8)
Item Description
A. Western Tracking Facility
1 Control bldg
2 Thomson CSF tracking antenna
3 Antenna
B. Support Area
4 Admin bldg
5 Supply/maint bldg
6 Security /admin bldg
C. Interferometer
D. Tracking Area
7 Baker-Nunn optical tracking bldg
E. Command and Control Area
8 Instrumentation bldg
9 Meteorological remote sensing bldg with radome
10 Admin bldg
11 Control bldg
12 Communications bldg
13 Generator bldg
14 Helipad
F. Propellant Storage Area
15 LOX stor
16 Liquid-propellant stor
17 Solid-propellant stor
G. Launch Support Area
18 Payload prep bldg
19 Vehicle prep bldg
20 Spt bldg
H. Launch Area
21 Blockhouse
22 Meteorological instrumentation tower
23 Nike launch pad with launch rail
24 Launch pad with tripod and launch rail
25 Meteorological rocket launch pad
26 Launch pad with launch rail
27 Helium supply station
28 Aerobee launch pad with launch rail
29 Sounding rocket pad with launch rail
RCA-15/ 0004/82
SC-628465/82 Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret)
REFERENCES
IMAGERY
(S/ N) All applicable satellite imagery acquired through April 1982 was used in the preparation of this report.
DOCUMENTS
1. 0 Estado De Sao Paulo, "History, Current Status of Space Program," p 30, 3 May 81 (UNCLASSIFIED)
2. Jornal Do Brasil, "IAE to Begin Sonda IV Tests," p 4, 20 Jul 81 (UNCLASSIFIED)
3. DoD. 6 809 0627 78, (U) Institute of Space Activities-An Outline of Projects, 23 Oct 78 (CONFIDENTIAL)
4. 0 Estado De Sao Paulo, "Satellites Now Under Construction to be Launched in 1990's" p 24, 6 Aug 81
(UNCLASSIFIED)
5. USDAO Brasilia. IR 6 809 0178 82, Missile/Space Development Activities, 131545Z Mar 82 (CONFIDENTIAL/-
6. LSDAO IR 6 809 0431 80, Fabrica Presidente Yargas Munitions Plant, 071819Z Oct 80 (CONFIDEN-
TIAL)
7. DoD. 6 809 5087 79, Avibras Aerospace Industry (U, 18 Jun 79 (CONFIDENTIAL)
CA-15/0091/79, Barreira do Inferno Rocket Range !S), Apr 79 (TOP SECRET
'Extracted information is classified SECRET
REQUIREMENT
CO~MIREX P01
Pro(ect542074P
Distribution 86-008
Science and Technological Team, Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Cr
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
SC 628465/82 Secret RCA 15/0004/82
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010!02102 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1
Secret
Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/02 : CIA-RDP83T00574R000102930001-1