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LEGENDRetired—
LEGENDRetired—Other·🇧🇷 Brazil·Born 1963
Marcos Pontes
First Brazilian in space (2006)
216h
Hours in Space
1
Missions
0
EVAs
—
EVA Time
I've been waiting for this opportunity for seven years and now finally it comes. Besides all the scientific objectives for us from Brazil, it will be a very strong step for our space program.
Biography
First Brazilian and first Portuguese-speaking astronaut. Air Force pilot who conducted experiments aboard the ISS.
Before NASABrazilian Air Force test pilot and aeronautical engineer who investigated flight safety incidents and worked on missile and weapons testing.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Marcos Pontes
- First Brazilian in space (2006)
- First Portuguese-speaking person in space
Mission Timeline
- Spaceflight Participant
Soyuz TMA-8
Soyuz TMA-8 / ISS EP-11 (Centenário Mission)
Launch: Mar 30, 2006Landing: Apr 8, 2006Duration: 9 days- Conducted 8 microgravity experiments aboard ISS
Beyond the Mission
Causes They Champion
Brazilian space program and STEM educationScience and technology ministry (served as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation)
Languages
PortugueseEnglishRussian
Awards & Honors
- Order of Rio Branco
- Order of Aeronautical Merit (Brazil)
- Order of Friendship (Russia)
Fun fact
His mission, named Missão Centenário, marked the 100th anniversary of fellow Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont's first powered flight.
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