Marcos Cesar Pontes (born 11 March 1963) is a Brazilian Air Force pilot, engineer, AEB astronaut, politician and author. He became the first South American and the first Lusophone to go into space when he docked onto the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-8 on 30 March 2006. He is the only Brazilian to have completed the NASA astronaut training program, although he switched to training in Russia after NASA's Space Shuttle program encountered problems. After Jair Bolsonaro's election as President of Brazil in 2018, Pontes was officially nominated to be Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, a post which he accepted days later and assumed when Bolsonaro's government began.[2][3] He left the post on 31 March 2022 and in the same year was elected federal senator for his state, São Paulo.
Early life
Pontes was born in the town of Bauru, in the southeastern state of São Paulo. His father Vergílio was a civil servant of the Instituto Brasileiro do Café and his mother Zuleika was clerk of the Rede Ferroviária Federal (RFFSA).[4]
Pontes is one of the most experienced jet pilots in the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), where he holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and has flown more than 2000 hours in 25 different aircraft[clarification needed].
In June 1998, he was selected by the Brazilian Space Agency to train in the NASA space program after he acquired a space-related background in the Aeronautical Engineering division of the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (the Aeronautics Institute of Technology, or "ITA"). He began NASA training in August 1998 and qualified as Space Shuttle Mission Specialist in December 2000. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School of the US Navy in 1998.
Initially, Pontes' maiden space flight was scheduled to be on a Space Shuttle, where he was to help transport the ExPRESS Pallet, which would have been the International Space Station's first Brazilian-made component, into orbit. Negotiations between NASA and AEB (the Brazilian Space Agency) fell through due to budgetary concerns. During the delay, Pontes ran a campaign to pressure the Brazilian government to complete the Express Pallet, and he worked on technical assignments in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch at NASA. His flight was postponed indefinitely when AEB confirmed that it could not produce the Express Pallet and its components for NASA.[5][6]
On 2 September 2005, an agreement between the governments of Brazil and Russia was reached which provided for Pontes to train at Star City, near Moscow, to learn about the Soyuz's operational and life-support systems, and to fly to the International Space Station in March 2006. The agreement, which cost about US$20 million[clarification needed] was signed by the presidents of the Brazilian and Russian space agencies, Sérgio Gaudenzi and Anatoli Perminov, respectively.
Pontes' flight coincided with celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont's successful flight of a fixed-wing airplane in Paris in October 1906.
On 30 March 2006, Pontes became the first Brazilian and the first native Portuguese-speaking person to go into space, where he stayed on the International Space Station for a week. During his trip, Pontes carried out eight experiments selected by the Brazilian Space Agency. He landed in Kazakhstan on April 8, 2006, with the crew of Expedition 12.[7]
Following the Soyuz mission, Pontes returned to his technical duties for the International Space Station Program at the Johnson Space Center, working with FIESP/SENAI-SP on the development and fabrication of the Brazilian parts for the ISS.[citation needed]
Pontes entered the reserve of the Brazilian Air Force and awaits a new space mission. He is also an Invited Researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies of the University of São Paulo at São Carlos. He is an ambassador of UNIDO and WorldSkills. Pontes opened an educational foundation and a tourism agency together with the future Brazilian space tourist Marcos Palhares, who will be traveling to space through the Virgin Galactic.[8][9][10][11]
Pontes announced his intention to visit space a second time back in 2009.[12][8]
On 31 October, Jair Bolsonaro announced that he would be the next Minister of Science and Technology.[15] This choice left the scientific community with polarized opinions, ranging from how the public sees the profession of astronaut in connection with science and the fact that the minister is not an active scientist and researcher, in addition to concern about his lack of political articulation.[16]
Minister of Science
After the disclosure of data on deforestation in the Amazon by INPE, discredited by Bolsonaro,[17] Marcos Pontes called the then President of Inpe Ricardo Galvão to address the way he has been acting in the media and also declared to share "...the strangeness expressed by our President Bolsonaro...".[18] no matter how much he doesn't believe the data to be false.[19]
On 7 August 2019 the resignation of Ricardo Galvão was published[20] after his resignation on 2 August.[21] He was exonerated at the request of Bolsonaro.[17] Directors of research centres linked to the Ministry asked Pontes to intercede on behalf of Galvão, something that did not happen.[22]
Military Darcton Policarpo Damião was chosen to take over Inpe on an interim basis.[21]
In July 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19.[23]
In a survey published by Veja magazine in October 2021, it was revealed that the minister had made 107 international trips, had stayed 1 in 3 days away for travel among his nearly 1000 days in office, had spent more than R$500,000 (US$ 100,000), and was the minister in the Bolsonaro government who traveled abroad the most.[24] This travel expense becomes relevant after he criticized the government for cutting R$600 million (US$ 200,000,000) from the Science and Technology Ministry.[25]
Works
Besides his work as an astronaut and Air Force commander, Marcos also authored four books:[26]
Pontes, Marcos (2010). É Possível! Como transformar seus sonhos em realidade [It's Possible! How to make your dreams come true] (in Portuguese). Brazil: Editorama. p. 371. ISBN9788561047917.
Pontes, Marcos (2011). Missão Cumprida: A História completa da primeira missão espacial brasileira [Mission Accomplished: The complete history of the first Brazilian space mission] (in Portuguese). Brazil: Chris McHilliard. p. 561. ISBN9788564213012.
Pontes, Marcos (2012). O Menino do Espaço [The Space Boy] (in Portuguese). Brazil: Chris McHilliard. p. 60. ISBN9788564213067.
Pontes, Marcos (2015). Caminhando com Gagarin [Walking with Gagarin] (in Portuguese). Brazil: Chris McHilliard. p. 120. ISBN9788564213081.
He also writes articles on his website. The main themes are motivation and space travel.
Controversies
Critics from National Congress
In 2006, Marcos Pontes returned to Brazil after the Missão Centenário, deciding to enter the Aeronautics reserve. In this sense, the repercussion around the situation became very wide, due to the indignation that was demonstrated by the National Congress. At first, the Palácio do Planalto, AEB (Brazilian Space Agency) and Aeronautics expected that Pontes could offer a stimulus factor to the space program and to new adhesions to the Armed Forces, as well as mentoring and training to new astronauts, justifying an investment of 10 million dollars from the Federal Government,[27][28] strongly defended by the Lula Government, who even talked to the astronaut in videoconference on the International Space Station: "In few moments in the history of Brazil, we were proud of a Brazilian like we are of you. You, when you departed, reminded me of Ayrton Senna with the national flag," Lula said.[29] After the decision for the inactivity of Marcos Pontes' functions, President Lula did not comment on the choice, which had several frustration pronouncements from other congressmen, such as Walter Pinheiro (PT), at the time member of the House Science and Technology Commission; Alberto Goldman (PSDB), congressman for São Paulo in 2006; Orlando Fantazzini (PSOL) and Sérgio Gaudenzi. In the view of politicians, who expected the return of astronaut learning to the Brazilian Space Program, the entity should create protection mechanisms for possible future investments in other astronauts, taking into account that the services funded by the government are not lost in the private sphere.[30][27][28]
Investigation by the Military Prosecutor
In 2006, Pontes was investigated by the Military Prosecutor to determine whether he had violated Article 204 of the Military Penal Code, which prohibits active military involvement in any commercial activity.[31] In the investigation, the MPM inquired about the website Conexão Espacial, owned by the astronaut's press officer, Christiane Gonçalves Corrêa, then owner of the company Portally Eventos e Produções, about the sale of T-shirts and caps with the image of Marcos from 2002 until the date of his departure. In September 2017, documents were released by The Intercept newspaper, which showed Marcos' supposed status as a partner in the company, but which had always been denied by him. After the extinctive prescription of the investigation, Pontes became a majority partner of the company, with 80% of participation, while Christiane Corrêa kept 20% of participation. The mother of the advisor, who owned about 45% of the shares, left the firm after Pontes joined.[32] In August 2018, after the investigation had already prescribed, the appeal against Pontes was tabled and filed away by Supreme Court Minister Rosa Weber.[31]
Gallery
Pontes signing the Baikonur Cosmodrome checkout hotel room, an Astronaut/Cosmonaut tradition
Marcos (center) with his crew members in the Soyuz factory
Greeting guests while at Baikonur on launch day
Pontes inside the Soyuz during launch to the ISS
ISS conference
Hatch opening
President Lula during a videoconference with the Brazilian astronaut
Ilustrasi bukti Euklides tentang Teorema Pythagoras. Matematika Yunani, istilah yang digunakan di dalam artikel ini, adalah matematika yang ditulis di dalam bahasa Yunani, dikembangkan sejak abad ke-6 SM sampai abad ke-5 M di sekitar pesisir Timur Laut Tengah. Matematikawan Yunani tinggal di kota-kota yang tersebar di sekitaran Laut Tengah bagian Timur, mulai dari Italia hingga ke Afrika Utara, namun dibersatukan oleh budaya dan bahasa Yunani. Matematika Yunani pada periode setelah Iskandar A...
2013 Australian television series For the Hong Kong band, see Nowhere Boys (Hong Kong band). For the Australian film, see Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows. For the British film, see Nowhere Boy. Nowhere BoysOpening titleGenre Action Adventure Fantasy Created byTony AyresDirected by Daina Reid Peter Carstairs Craig Irvin Nicholas Verso Brendan Phillips Alister Grierson Peter Salmon Rachel Griffiths Starring Dougie Baldwin Joel Lok Rahart Adams Matt Testro Kamil Ellis Joe Klocek Jordie Race-Co...
Édouard Fétis door Louis Gallait Édouard Louis François Fétis (Bouvignes, 15 mei 1812[1] – Brussel, 31 januari 1909) was een Belgisch muziekcriticus en kunsthistoricus. Hij was ook hoogleraar esthetica aan de Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Brussel. Hij was de zoon van François-Joseph Fétis, een duizendpoot binnen de muziek van musicologie tot componeren, en directeur van het Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. Zijn moeder was Adelaide Catherine Louise Françoise ...
معركة صنعاء 2015 جزء من الحرب الأهلية اليمنية (2015) معركة سابقة: معركة صنعاء 2014 خريطة تقريبية لانقلاب الحوثيين (19 يناير 2015) سيطرة المواليين للرئيس عبد ربه منصور هادي تحت سيطرة الحوثيون والجيش المؤيد لصالح سيطرة جزئية لأنصار الشريعة والقاعدة مناطق مهجو
2013 NBA Draft Informações Gerais Data 27 de Junho, 2013 Horário 7:00 pm (EDT) Local Barclays Centerem Brooklyn, New York Transmissão ESPN Primeira Escolha Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Draft < 2012 2014 > O Draft da NBA de 2013 foi realizado no dia 27 de Junho de 2013, no Barclays Center em Brooklyn, New York. O draft começou às 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (23:00 UTC), e será transmitido nos Estados Unidos pela ESPN. Neste draft, os times da National ...
Election For the federal election, see 2018 United States Senate election in New York. 2018 New York State Senate election ← 2016 November 6, 2018 2020 → All 63 seats in the New York State Senate32 seats needed for a majorityTurnout45.59%[1] Majority party Minority party Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins John J. Flanagan Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat 35th District 2nd District Seats before 31 32[a] Seats won 39[b&#...
Le Ban-Saint-Martin Le Ban-Saint-Martin (Frankreich) Staat Frankreich Region Grand Est Département (Nr.) Moselle (57) Arrondissement Metz Kanton Montigny-lès-Metz Gemeindeverband Metz Métropole Koordinaten 49° 7′ N, 6° 9′ O49.1219444444446.1505555555556Koordinaten: 49° 7′ N, 6° 9′ O Höhe 165–310 m Fläche 1,59 km² Einwohner 4.604 (1. Januar 2020) Bevölkerungsdichte 2.896 Einw./km² Postleitzahl 57050 INSEE-Code 57049 W...
Historic structure in Bangkok Thai Gate For the professional wrestling maneuver, see Professional wrestling throws § Giant swing. The Giant Swing in Bangkok The Giant Swing (Thai: เสาชิงช้า, RTGS: Sao Chingcha, pronounced [sǎw t͡ɕʰīŋ.t͡ɕʰáː] pronunciationⓘ) is a religious structure in Sao Chingcha Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. Located in front of Wat Suthat, it was formerly used in an old Brahmin ceremony, and is one of...
1976 studio album by LabelleChameleonStudio album by LabelleReleasedJune 17, 1976RecordedWally Heider Studios, San Francisco, CaliforniaGenre Funk[1][2] disco[3] doo-wop[2] hard rock[2] Latin[2] Length50:12LabelEpicProducerDavid Rubinson & Friends Inc., in association with Vicki WickhamLabelle chronology Phoenix(1975) Chameleon(1976) Back To Now(2008) Singles from Chameleon Isn't It a ShameReleased: June 17, 1976 Professional ratings...
1927 film by Frank Tuttle For the 2015 film, see Spotlight (film). The SpotlightTheatrical release posterDirected byFrank TuttleScreenplay byHope LoringHerman J. MankiewiczRita WeimanProduced byJesse L. LaskyAdolph ZukorStarringEsther RalstonNeil HamiltonNicholas SoussaninArlette MarchalArthur HousmanCinematographyVictor MilnerEdited byLouis D. LightonProductioncompanyFamous Players–Lasky CorporationDistributed byParamount PicturesRelease date November 19, 1927 (1927-11-19) R...
American pay television channel Television channel Audience NetworkCountryUnited StatesBroadcast areaNationwideHeadquartersEl Segundo, CaliforniaProgrammingLanguage(s)EnglishPicture format720p HDTV(downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)OwnershipOwnerDirecTVHistoryLaunchedNovember 25, 1999 (1999-11-25)ClosedMay 22, 2020 (2020-05-22)Former namesFreeview (1999–2005)The 101 Network (2005–11)Audience Network (2011–16) Audience Network (also known as A...
2018 film The Snatch ThiefFilm posterDirected byAgustin ToscanoWritten byAgustin ToscanoStarringSergio PrinaRelease date 15 May 2018 (2018-05-15) (Cannes) CountryArgentinaLanguageSpanish The Snatch Thief (Spanish: El Motoarrebatador) is a 2018 Argentine drama film directed by Agustin Toscano. It was screened in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.[1][2] In 2019, the film participated in the 20th Havana Film Festival New York whe...
Selden map The Selden Map of China (Bodleian Library, MS Selden Supra 105) is an early 17th century map of East Asia formerly owned by the legal scholar and maritime theorist John Selden. It shows a system of navigational routes emanating from a point near the cities of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou in Fujian Province, from which a principal route goes northeast towards Nagasaki and southwest towards Hoi An, then Champa, and then on to Pahang, and then with another route heading past Penghu towards ...
Railway station in Malmö, Sweden For the metro station in Copenhagen, see Trianglen Station. Triangeln StationSouthern entranceGeneral informationLocationMalmöSwedenCoordinates55°35′31″N 13°00′07″E / 55.5920°N 13.0019°E / 55.5920; 13.0019Operated byPågatåg OresundtrainLine(s)OresundtrainPlatforms1 island platformTracks2ConstructionStructure typeUndergroundAccessibleYesHistoryOpenedDecember 2010Passengers22 800 per weekday (2016)[1] Services...
Mountain chain in Sardinia, Italy Monte Is Caravius in the Sulcis Mountains. Monte Genna Strinta see from Monte Lattias. The Sulcis Mountains (Italian: Monti del Sulcis) is a mountain chain in Sardinia, Italy. Together with the Monte Linas massif, from which they are separated by the flood plain of the Cixerri River, they form the Sulcis-Iglesiente Mountains, one of the most ancient geological formations in the island. Geology The geology of the Sulcis Mountains is rather complex, due to thei...
Geldrop-Mierlo Gemeente in Nederland (Details) (Details) Situering Provincie Noord-Brabant Noord-Brabant COROP-gebied Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant Coördinaten 51° 25′ NB, 5° 33′ OL Algemeen Oppervlakte 31,39 km² - land 31,01 km² - water 0,38 km² Inwoners (31 januari 2023) 40.484? (1306 inw./km²) Bestuurscentrum Geldrop Belangrijke verkeersaders A67 N614 Station(s) Station Geldrop Politiek Burgemeester (lijst) Jos van Bree (VVD) Bestuur CDA, DGG en DPM Zetels 27 Economie Gemiddeld...
La Casa Encendida LocalizaciónPaís España EspañaComunidad Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de MadridLocalidad MadridDirección Ronda de Valencia, 2, 28012Coordenadas 40°24′22″N 3°42′00″O / 40.406101, -3.699919Información generalInicio 1911Finalización 1913Construcción diciembre de 2002Propietario Fundación MontemadridDiseño y construcciónArquitecto Fernando Arbós y Tremantiwww.lacasaencendida.es[editar datos en Wikidata] La Casa Ence...
.jpg)
.png){kind=small}
