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 2022
Executive Engineering Project Planning
September 2022
Hydrological survey of the submarine connection project
September 2022
Assignment for operation and maintenance of partners
1st Quarter of 2023
Launch of the submarine cable between São Luís and Alcântara
2nd Quarter of 2023
Terrestrial network integrated to submarine cable in operation.