QUALIESPAÇO and SINACESPAÇO - Tools to the Quality Enhancement in the Space Industry of Brazil

Abstract

On February the 09th, 1993 the first satellite developed, assembled, integrated and tested in Brazil was successfully launched by a Pegasus series type rocket, from the Kennedy Space Center and its intended 1 year long life has already been extended by nine years. Since then Brazil is developing their own national space programs as well as international programs in collaboration with China, France, Argentine, USA and others countries. The costs, complexity and risks control needs in those programs have dramatically increased in the last ten years. This changing scenario implies new challenges to the Brazilian space industry (in order to offer competitive products and services) and to the Brazilian space authorities to support this effort. Additionally the Alcântara Launch Center – CLA commercialization effort implies the need of compliance with national and international safety regulations. To respond to these requirements the Brazilian Space Agency – AEB have started some initiatives, two of them are related to Quality issues. The first one, QUALIESPACO is dedicated to meet the needs for space related standards production and utilization in the Brazilian space industry and governmental agencies. It means to identify the needs, to support the efforts to overcome these needs together with the Brazilian National Standards Body – ABNT and to disseminate the results. The second one, SINACESPACO is dedicated to develop a National Certification System of Brazilian suppliers of products, services, materials and operators. The system with an accreditation board, laboratories and certification bodies will be a tool to support governmental acquisition of space related products and services as well as the regulatory effort related to safety. Another objective is to help the competitiveness of Brazilian space suppliers and the Quality of Brazilian space products. __________________________________________ INTRODUCTION In 1979 Brazil have decided to start a space program called MECB Brazilian Complete Space Mission, with the following objectives: • Development, launching and operation of small applications satellites; • Development of a satellite ground segment; • Development and qualification of a Satellite Launcher Vehicle VLS; • Development and operation of the Alcântara Satellite Launching Center CLA. The development of the satellites and the related ground segment became responsibility of INPE, the Brazilian Institute for Space Research, a civilian organization under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The development of the VLS and of the CLA launch center became responsibility of the Brazilian Air Force. Most of the MECB development was done inside the governmental organizations, with an internal effort related to Quality and Safety management. In 1988 Brazil and China have started the joint satellite program CBERS – China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite, with the aim of development, launching and operation of two large Earth observation satellites1. INPE became responsible for the Brazilian tasks in this cooperative development, with new challenges related to Quality and Safety management of space products because: • The sharing of responsibilities between both partners. • The different technical cultures and experiences. • Most of the Brazilian subsystems development was done by suppliers, outside INPE. • The complexity, the risks and the high cost of the project. • The logistics problems. 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law 29 September 3 October 2003, Bremen, Germany IAC-03-IAA.6.1.02 Copyright © 2003 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved. 2 In 1994, AEB, the Brazilian Space Agency, a civilian organization, was created with the mission of coordinating the space research effort in Brazil. The main objectives of AEB are: • To define the police related to space activities in Brazil. • To plan the space activities development in Brazil. • To assure and control the budget to the space programs development. • To manage the international cooperation programs. • To support the Brazilian space industry development. • To define the regulation applicable to the space activities in Brazil. SATELLITE PROGRAMS PAYLOAD LAUNCHING DATE ATTITUDE CONTROL MASS (kg)