History

The Alcântara Cyclone Space Binational company, ACS, is responsible for the commercialization and operation of launch services using the Cyclone-4 launch vehicle from its launch site in Alcântara.

ACS is the result of years of negotiation between Brazil and the Ukraine. Such negotiations formally started with the signing of a Frame-Agreement towards Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, on Nov. 18, 1999. The successful conclusion of the negotiations culminated with the signature, on Oct. 21, 2003, of a Long-Term Cooperation Agreement for the use of the Cyclone-4 Launch Vehicle at the Alcântara Space Center. The treaty was signed by the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Roberto Amaral, and by the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kostiantyn Gryshtchenko, in the presence of the Presidents of Brazil and Ukraine, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Leonid Kuchma.

ACS was officially established on Aug. 31, 2006, when the approved bylaws were published in the Brazilian Official Gazette (Diário Oficial da União - DOU) through Decree #599 of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology. The first meeting of ACS’ Managing Council took place on Aug. 30, 2007. The initial investment of each country is US$4.5 million. The treaty establishes that both countries should increase the company’s capital to a total of US$ 105 million.

The company has an administrative office in Brasilia, Brazil and actively works towards establishing its launch site in Alcântara.