Brazil wants another shot at the stars

BRASILIA, Brazil, July 6 (UPI) -- Brazil is planning to launch its first space rocket in 2006, the nation's minister of science and technology said Tuesday.

Eduardo Campos made his announcement during a ceremony introducing the new head of the Brazilian Space Agency, Sergio Gaudenzi.

The science minister also said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Siva allocated an extra $12 million to the agency's $13-million budget this year to prepare for the launch.

Brazil's quest for the stars was severely sidetracked in August 2003 when a rocket exploded on the launch pad, killing 21 people. The victims included Brazil's top rocket scientists.