ARGENTINE SPACE AGENCY DESIRE TO INCLUDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001197 SIPDIS ISN FOR D. MAHLEY AND P. DURHAM E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018 TAGS: KSCA PARM PREL ETTC SUBJECT: ARGENTINE SPACE AGENCY DESIRE TO INCLUDE BRAZILIAN-UKRAINIAN JOINT VENTURE IN END-USER REQUEST FOR ARGENTINE SAOCOM SATELLITE MISSION REF: NONE Classified By: DCM Thomas P. Kelly, for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d). ¶1. (C) On 01 August, Executive Director of the National Commission on Aerospace Activities (CONAE),Dr. Conrado Varotto and CONAE Secretary General Felix Menicocci, made a request to broaden the scope of an existing End-User request related to the Argentine SAOCOM satellite project. Per Varotto, the GOA had drafted the text for an open tender which conformed to existing International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) standards with regard to the use of U.S.-made components in the SAOCOM satellite system. At the time of the original draft, the GOA did not take into account the possible use of the Ukrainian Cyclone-4 launch vehicle or the use of the Brazilian launch facilities at Alcantara. ¶2. (C) To allow the joint Brazilian-Ukrainian venture, Alcantara Cyclone Space, to compete in the Argentine SAOCOM project, the GOA has proposed changes in the text of their original End-User request. Varotto believed the updated text will permit the sale of U.S. components to the GOA for use in SAOCOM, and will account for the possible participation of Alcantara Cyclone Space in an eventual launch. Varotto expressed his interest in traveling to Washington to discuss the details with relevant Department officials. WAYNE