Colonel Marcos Pontes has become the first Brazilian to travel into space after successfully launching a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur. He will spend nine days at the International Space Station while a Russian and an American colleague will remain there for six months.
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Colonel Pontes underwent training for the flight starting in 1998 (Photo: AFP) |
Colonel Pontes brought along a Brazilian flag and a national team jersey to cheer for Brazil during the World Cup.
His father, 84 years old, was present at the launch alongside family and friends. They cheered and applauded afterward, then watched a video broadcast from the spacecraft at the former Soviet launch station in Kazakhstan. His wife, with tears in her eyes, said, “I am very emotional. I can’t describe my feelings right now. I am very, very happy.”
The launch ceremony was broadcast live on Brazilian television.
Vyacheslav Davidenko, a spokesperson for Russia’s Roskosmos space center, told AFP that the new astronaut is sure to become a national hero in Brazil. He stated, “Marcos Pontes will make his country a part of the club of space-faring nations.”
Many Brazilians hope this journey will provide significant momentum for their country’s space program.
This important mission cost Brazil approximately $10 million, nearly three years after Brazil’s space program failed when a rocket exploded during launch.
The explosion of the first spacecraft produced by Brazil, intended to carry a satellite into space, resulted in the deaths of 21 people at the launch site in the northern part of the country.
However, there have also been criticisms that the funds used for the space launch could have been better allocated to other investments.
