Barreira do Inferno Launch Center Picture 2

More information on Barreira do Inferno Launch Center Photo by: flickr.paulohenrique.net

Being near the border is not only great for tourists, it's also the best place to launch vehicles into space.    Centro de Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno is where rockets are launched by the Brazilian Space Agency.    It was created in 1965 in the city of Parnamirim, near Natal and has been used 233 times from 1965 to 2007.  The site also provides tracking support for launches from the Alcântara Launch Center and Guiana Space Centre.

The site is adjacent to the base of dune field, in the neighborhood of Ponta Negra.  The entire region is called "Barreira do Inferno" or  Hell's Barrier by fishermen because, at dusk, the sun's reflection makes the cliffs resembles flames of fire.

Address: Rodovia RN 063 - Km 11 Parnamirim/RN
Phone: +55 (84)3216-1400.
Fax: +55 (84) 3216-1421
E-mail: clbi@clbi.cta.br
Web: http://www.clbi.cta.br

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