Barreira do Inferno Launch Center
Rio Grande do Norte
The Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (CLBI), located near Natal in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is the country's first rocket launch base and one of the oldest in South America. Founded in 1965, it has supported over 400 launches of sounding rockets and suborbital vehicles, reaching altitudes up to 1100 kilometers. The base has played a central role in atmospheric research through projects like Exametnet and ozone layer studies, collaborating with agencies such as NASA and the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Architecturally, the facility includes launch pads, tracking stations, and a museum showcasing a range of rockets including the Nike Apache, Loki-Dart, and Black Brant series. Beyond launches, CLBI provides tracking support for orbital launches from Alcântara and the Guiana Space Centre, cooperating with the European Space Agency to track Ariane rockets. The site is also notable for its protected beach area, which serves as a vital nesting ground for sea turtles under the supervision of Projeto Tamar. Visitors can tour the base by appointment, experiencing exhibits on Brazil's aerospace history and its strategic role in regional space operations. Its name, meaning 'Hell's Barrier,' derives from the fiery red cliffs nearby, a local natural landmark.
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Tip: Visitors interested in touring the Barreira do Inferno Launch Center should schedule visits in advance as access is controlled. The best time to visit is during weekdays when guided tours are available. While there are no specific ticket prices publicly listed, check for possible discounts for students or groups. The base's protected beach area is also a great attraction for nature lovers, especially during sea turtle nesting seasons. Photography is usually allowed in museum areas but confirm restrictions on launch days. Combining the visit with a trip to nearby Natal and Ponta Negra beach offers a rich cultural and natural experience.
Interesting facts
- •Barreira do Inferno means 'Hell's Barrier,' named after the red cliffs that glow like fire at sunrise near the base.
- •It is the first rocket launch base in South America, operational since 1965.
- •The base has supported over 400 rocket launches, reaching altitudes up to 1100 kilometers.
- •The protected beach area of the base serves as an important nesting site for sea turtles, supervised by Projeto Tamar.
- •The launch center cooperates with the European Space Agency to track Ariane rockets from their launches in French Guiana.
History
Established in 1965, Barreira do Inferno was Brazil's first rocket launch base and the first in South America dedicated to aerospace activities.
The inaugural rocket launch was a Nike Apache on December 15, 1965.
Over the decades, it has supported more than 400 launches, ranging from small meteorological rockets to high-performance multi-stage vehicles.
The center played a key role in atmospheric studies during the Exametnet project (1966-1978) and ozone layer monitoring (1978-1990).
In recent years, it has resumed activity with new launches such as the VS-30 rocket in 2024.
It also became an important tracking station for orbital launches from Alcântara and the Guiana Space Centre, cooperating with international space agencies like ESA.
Place Guide
Rocket Display and Air Defence Museum
This museum on-site exhibits a variety of rockets launched from CLBI, including historic models like the Nike Apache, Black Brant series, and Sonda rockets. It provides detailed information on Brazil's space program development and rocket technology evolution.
Launch Pads and Tracking Stations1965
The operational core of the base, these facilities support rocket launches and provide tracking for national and international missions. Visitors can observe the infrastructure that enables launches and monitoring of suborbital and orbital vehicles.
Protected Beach Area
A restricted-access beach adjacent to the base, serving as a vital nesting ground for sea turtles. Managed in partnership with Projeto Tamar, it highlights the environmental commitment of the launch center.
Contact
Phone: (84) 3216-1400
