Global General

Brazil, Ukraine discuss rocket launch

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-11 10:50

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian and Ukrainian presidents discussed cooperation on a Ukraine-made rocket to be launched by Brazil during a phone conversation on Monday.

The Cyclone 4 rocket is expected to be fired up from the Alcantara Launch Center in the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhao, the official Agencia Brasil news agency reported. Alcantara is the world's closest launch center to the equator, which is suitable for launching geosynchronous satellites.

During the conversation, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and her Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich also talked about preparations for this year's celebrations to mark the 120th anniversary of the emigration of Ukrainians to Brazil, the report said.

Yanukovich congratulated Rousseff on her recent inauguration, while confirming his intention to visit Brazil in May and inviting Rousseff to visit his country as well.

Rousseff is expected to make a trip to Europe this year, but besides Bulgaria, her father's home country, her other destinations are still unknown.