Virgin Orbit among new operators for Brazil’s Alcântara spaceport
Billionaire Richard Branson’s modified Boeing 747 may soon be taking off from Brazil’s northern coast to launch rockets into orbit as the South American country seeks a piece of the small satellite market. The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and Air Force announced last week the selection of four companies, including Branson’s Virgin Orbit, to operate from the Alcântara launch center. Its location near the planet’s equator allows for larger payloads and less costly rocket launches, said AEB head Carlos Moura, who forecast the first-ever orbital flight launched from Brazil for the second half of 2022. Reuters reports. WhatsApp Pay relaunched in Brazil WhatsApp has relaunched its payments service in Brazil nearly a year after its suspension amid concerns over potential threats […]