Brasília, February 5, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The tragedy of the American Columbia space shuttle does not affect the Brazilian aerospace project. This affirmation comes from the Minister of Science and Technology, Roberto Amaral, who added that Brazilian participation in the International Space Station is still under discussion with Nasa, since the financial investment is high and the returns for Brazilian industry, small.

The projects of the Brazilian Space Agency are going very well, in the Minister's judgement, and will be strengthened. Amaral denied the existence of any impasse over utilization by the United States of the Alcântara Aerospace Base, in Maranhão, for the launching of satellites. And he recalled that the Congress is evaluating the safeguard proposal signed by the previous administration with the United States and the one presented by the government of Ukrania. It is expected that Congress will approve both. Indeed, President Lula's administration nominated a commission to define the Brazilian government's position to pass on to the National Congress, he anticipated. (DAS)