FUNCATE – Fundação de Ciência, Aplicações e Tecnologia Espaciais (Foundation for Science, Technology and Space Applications) was established in 2nd December 1982, at the initiative of the then Director of INPE - Space Research Institute (now National Institute for Space Research), Dr. Nelson de Jesus Parada FUNCATE is a private, non-profit institution, with the aim of contributing towards the development of science and technology in the Country.

FUNCATE enjoys patrimonial, financial and administrative autonomy, under the law. It is governed by Laws, Internal Regulations and other applicable legal provisions, and their actions are subjected to the control and supervision of the State’s Public Prosecution Department, the governing authorities, and the funding agencies for specific projects.

Since 1996, FUNCATE has acted as the INPE's support foundation, pursuant to Law Nº. 8.958 / 94. Currently, it is also authorised to support other renowned governmental institutions, including the CEMADEN - Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais (National Centre for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters), the CEFET/RJ - Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (Federal Center for Technological Education Celso Suckow da Fonseca), the CETEM – Centro de Tecnologia Mineral (Mineral Technology Centre), the CLA - Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara, the CLBI - Centro de Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno (Barreira do Inferno Launch Center), the CTI - Centro de Tecnologia da Informação Renato Archer (Information Tecnology Center Renato Archer), the DCTA - Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial (Department of Aerospace Science and Technology), the HFA - Hospital das Forças Armadas, the IAE – Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço (Institute of Aeronautics and Space), the IEAv – Instituto de Estudos Avançados (Institute for Advanced Studies), the IFI – Instituto de Fomento e Coordenação Industrial (Industrial Foment and Coordination Institute), the IPEV – Instituto de Pesquisas e Ensaios em Voo (Flight Test and Research Institute), the INPA - National Institute for Amazonian Research, the INT – Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia (National Institute of Technology), the INSA - Instituto Nacional do Semiárido and the ITA - Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (Aeronautics Institute of Technology).

For over 40 years, FUNCATE has fulfilled its institutional mission, acting in the management of research, development and innovation projects along with its partners, managing resources from national and international institutions.

Orthophoto clipping São José dos Campos made freely available by EMPLASA (2013)