Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, INPE, has awarded a launch services contract to SpaceLaunch for the deployment of its Amazonia-1B Earth observation satellite aboard a Vega C rocket in 2027, the institute said.
The announcement confirms that INPE was the “extra-European institutional customer” referenced in a September 2025 statement by Italian rocket builder Avio, which disclosed a launch services agreement with SpaceLaunch but did not identify the client at the time. INPE said on Jan. 27 that it had selected Vega C for the mission following a competitive procurement process.
While INPE did not disclose the contract value in its statement, Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said on Jan. 21 that the total approved purchase value for the contract awarded to SpaceLaunch was R$188.2 million, or about €30 million.
INPE Director Antonio Miguel Vieira Monteiro said four proposals were submitted and evaluated on both technical merit and cost. He added that the institute was satisfied with the choice of Vega C and the additional services provided by SpaceLaunch for the mission.
SpaceLaunch Chief Executive Marcy Mabry said the European launcher met the requirements for the Amazonia-1B mission. “Vega-C offers a strong combination of performance and reliability for Amazonia-1B, and we look forward to working closely with INPE and Avio to deliver a successful mission,” Mabry said.
The selection marks a further step for Avio as it seeks to expand its footprint in the global launch market following its transition away from reliance on Arianespace. Avio Chief Executive Giulio Ranzo welcomed the decision, calling it “a demonstration that Vega C is a competitive product globally.”
Amazonia-1B will follow the original Amazonia-1 satellite, which was launched in February 2021 aboard a PSLV rocket. A third spacecraft, Amazonia-2, is planned to join the constellation after the 2027 launch. The satellites are designed to support monitoring of deforestation in the Amazon region and provide data for agricultural and environmental management across Brazil.
