Connection to the Alcântara Launch Center
The Alcântara Launch Center (CLA) is one of two rocket launch centers in Brazil, located in Maranhão, 32 kilometers from the capital São Luís, close to the equator. Inaugurated in 1983, and in operation since 1989, the site was designed with a structure capable of launching rockets, manned or not, and placing satellites in Earth orbit, in addition to sending astronauts on research missions.
RNP’s role
RNP will connect the Alcântara Launch Center in São Luís (MA) to Fortaleza (CE), through a 22 km submarine cable, in addition to a 685 km terrestrial optical network. The high-speed connection will directly benefit researchers who depend on high data transmission capacity in the areas of astronomy, high-energy physics, aerospace engineering, climate and biodiversity, boosting scientific and technological development in the region.
Social Impact
1 million+
People benefited
700 km+
terrestrial and submarine optical cables
9 institutions
of teaching and research served
Project milestones
February 2023
Executive Engineering Project
April 2023
Selection of suppliers to support the project (environmental licensing and launch of the underwater cable)
2nd semester of 2023
Launching of the underwater cable between São Luís and Alcântara
4th Quarter of 2023
Closure of the optical ring integrating the terrestrial network to the underwater cable
4th Quarter of 2023
Closure of the optical ring integrating the terrestrial network to the underwater cable