Brazil prepares its first satellite launcher

Brazil's First satellite launcher, the Veiculo Lancador de Satelites, is due for launch from Alcantara at the end of this month, carrying a small science satellite, the SCD 2.

The South American country says that it will launch ten new satellites by 2000. The NASA/ Japanese Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard an H2 booster from Tanegashima on 18 November, following delays to the launch which were caused by problems with the Engineering Test Satellite 7 companion payload (Flight International, 24-30 September).

China will launch a Long March 3B with its Apstar 2R payload on about 24 October.

Source: Flight International