Brazil's space agency. An independent part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, it was established in 1971 to replace the Organizing Group for the National Commission on Space Activities formed in 1961. INPE has launched four of Brazil's satellites: SCD-’ (1993), which completed 10 years in orbit; SCD-2 (1998), which achieved five years in orbit; CBERS-1 (1999); and CBERS-2 (2003). INPE has also been involved in the construction of the International Space Station. Its future missions with undetermined launching dates include the China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS-1), and a scientific satellite (SACl-1).

The agency's research work began in the 1970s, with INPE using the services of foreign meteorological, communications, and Earth-observation satellites. In the late 1970s the Brazilian government approved INPE's Complete Brazilian Space Mission, and the next decade saw INPE join in the China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) and establish its Integration and Tests Laboratory. INPE Supercomputer places Brazil among the eight countries with high processing capacity in weather and climate numerical forecast.

Its main research campus is located at São José dos Campos.