Insufficient funds constituted the main reason for the failure of Brazil’s space program, which has seen three unsuccessful attempts at sending a rocket into space, the legislative commission said Saturday.
The latest failure took place on Aug. 23, 2003, in which a rocket that was going to send two national satellites into orbit exploded, killing 21 Brazilian experts.
The commission’s conclusion echoed the opinion of Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Viegas, who admitted the shortage of funds was the root cause for the space tragedy although official report showed that the accident was caused directly by a short circuit inthe rocket systems.
The commission said lack of investments in new equipment, security measures and training of the personnel working on the space program led to the tragedy.
According to the government-appointed commission, the government budget on space program was reduced to 15.3 million US dollars in 2002 from 86 million dollars in 1998.
In addition, Terezinha Fernandes, a member of the commission, said low salaries at the Space Base of Alcantara made many technicians and officials hold extra jobs to meet their own needs.
The commission has proposed structural changes in the space program and suggested that the Brazilian Space Agency become an organization directly subordinated to the presidency, not to a ministry.
