CBERS - An international space cooperation program

Abstract

China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) is a joint program under development by Brazil and China since 1988. The aim of the program is to develop a family of 1.5 ton class multipurpose remote sensing satellites and related ground facilities to supply both countries with multispectral earth remote sensing images. To comply with this objective a binational organization was established involving Brazil and China space national bodies and related industrial organizations. CBERS is an innovative joint program between two developing countries involving high technology. The development of the program was postponed by its complexity, new methodologies and logistics problems. The purpose of this paper is to present a programmatic content with an overview of the program, the development activities and its management specially related to assembling, integration and tests (AIT) issues. The methodology is to present the results achieved in the shared AIT activities, the status of the program, the engagement to comply with the program requirements and a conclusion about spin off and the return of experience.