Brazil's Minister of Science and Technology, Sérgio Rezende, refuted criticism this Thursday, April 20, about expenses with the mission that took to space, in the beginning of the month, Brazilian astronaut, Marcos Pontes.

"This was the most important event to make Brazilian science and technology known," said the Minister during the ceremony to acclaim Pontes at the Planalto Palace, in capital Brasília.

According to Rezende, results compensated the US$ 10 million invested in the mission. The minister recalled that the budget expected for the Brazilian space program went from US$ 26 million, in 2002, up to US$ 104 million, in 2005.

In the ceremony, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told Pontes that this trip represents just the beginning of new achievements in the area.

"I'll work to make this trip one more step of our country's journey to conquer space and towards scientific and technologic knowledge."

Agência Brasil

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written by Guest, 2006-04-21 04:27:08

blah ablah ablah - Space tourist Pontes, another brain-dead Brazilian thinking he’s done something unique, but in reality he’s not more experienced or trained to enter space as that sissy teen pop idol/singer from N Sync. I’d be an astronaut too, if I had 10,000,000 dollars to give the Russians. We’re seeing the lead up to Lula’s campaign here, in full swing.

Actually, the only difference between Pontes in space, and those monkeys NASA used to send 25 years ago, is that Pontes brought with him a futebol and a Brazilian Flag and returned with a Brazilian flag and futebol. The monkeys actually brought valuable skills and brought back useful information for scientists.

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