Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | CTA |
Country of origin | Brazil |
Size | |
Height | 19.5 m (63.9 ft) |
Diameter | 1.01 m (3.31 ft) |
Mass | 50,700 kg (111,700 lb) |
Stages | 3 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | 380 kg (830 lb) |
Launch history | |
Status | Active |
Launch sites | Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara |
Total launches | 2 |
Failures | 2 |
First flight | 2 November 1997 |
Boosters - S-43 | |
No. boosters | 4 |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 303 kN (68,100 lbf ) |
Specific impulse | 225 s (2.21 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 59 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
First stage - S-43TM | |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 320.6 kN (72,074 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 277 s (2.72 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 58 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
Second stage - S-40TM | |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 208.39 kN (46,848 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 275 s (2.70 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 56 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
Third stage - S-44 | |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 33.24 kN (7,473 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 282 s (2.77 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 68 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
The VLS-1 (Portuguese: Veículo Lançador de Satélites) is the Brazilian Space Agency's main satellite launch vehicle.[1] The launch vehicle will be capable of launching satellites into orbit. The launch site is located at the Alcântara Launch Center[2] due to its proximity to the equator.
Associated vehicles include the Sonda I, Sonda II, Sonda III and Sonda IV, the VS-30, VS-40 and VSB-30.
Contents
History
VLS-1 development started in 1984, after the first launch of the Sonda IV rocket. To date, three prototypes have been built and two launches attempted, departing from the Alcântara Launch Center. During the V1 and V2 prototype launches (VLS-1 V1 and VLS-1 V2) technical problems prevented mission success, but allowed the testing of several vehicle components. The V3 prototype exploded on the launch pad on 22 August 2003, two days before its intended launch date. The 2003 Alcântara VLS accident caused a considerable setback to the Brazilian space program.
The V4 prototype is currently under development and expected to be launched in 2016.[3]
VLS-1 schedule
Initial flight test schedule
# | Photo | Vehicle | Payload | Date | Place | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | VLS-R1 | - | 1985 December 1 | CLA | Failure, apogee of 10 km. | |
2 | VLS-R2 | - | 1989 May 18 | CLA | Apogee of 50 km. | |
3 | VLS-1 V1 | SCD-2A | 1997 December 2 | CLA | in flight failure | |
4 | VLS-1 V2 | SACI 2 | 1999 December 11 | CLA | in flight failure | |
5 | ![]() |
VLS-1 V3 | SATEC | 2003 | CLA | pad explosion on 2003 August 22 |
Current schedule
The V04 prototype was originally scheduled for launch in 2006. Further testing has resumed in 2008. Current VLS-1 schedule is as follows:[4]
# | Photo | Vehicle | Payload | Date | Place | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | mockup | electrical tests with a mockup rocket[5][6] | 2012 | CLA | - Success | |
2 | VLS-1 XVT-01 VSISNAV | only first two stages active | 2016 | CLA | - | |
3 | VLS-1 V-04 | satellite launch | 2018 | CLA | - |
VLS Configurations
VLS-R1 test vehicle
The VLS-R1 test vehicle had two stages, arranged in the following configuration:
- Stage 1 - four S-20 rocket engines
- Stage 2 - one dummy S-20 rocket engine
VLS-R2 test vehicle
The VLS-R2 test vehicle had two stages, arranged in the following configuration:
- Stage 1 - four S-20 rocket engines
- Stage 2 - one S-20 rocket engine
VLS-XVI 01 sub-orbital test vehicle
The VLS-XVI 01 sub-orbital test vehicle has three solid fuel rocket stages and boosters, arranged in the following configuration:
- Stage 0 - four S-43 rocket engines
- Stage 1 - one S-43TM rocket engine
- Stage 2 - dummy S-40TM rocket engine
- Stage 3 - dummy S-44 rocket engine
VLS-1 operational configuration
The VLS-1 has three solid fuel rocket stages and boosters, arranged in the following configuration:
- Stage 0 - four S-43 rocket engines
- Stage 1 - one S-43TM rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one S-40TM rocket engine
- Stage 3 - one S-44 rocket engine
The rocket has four 400N RCS jets, located on the top of the third stage.
Developments
VLM
The VLM (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites) based on the S50 rocket engine is being studied, with the objective of orbiting satellites up to 150 kg in circular orbits ranging from 250 to 700 km. It will be a three-stage rocket, expected to launch the SHEFEX III mission by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2016.[7][8][9]
"Cruzeiro do Sul" (Southern Cross) program
Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | CTA |
Country of origin | Brazil |
Size | |
Height | 19.5 m (63.9 ft) |
Stages | 3 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | 600 kg |
Launch history | |
Status | In development |
Launch sites | Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara |
Boosters - S-43 | |
No. boosters | 4 |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 303 kN (68,100 lbf ) |
Specific impulse | 225 s (2.21 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 59 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
First stage - S-43TM | |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 320.6 kN (72,074 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 277 s (2.72 kN·s/kg) |
Burn time | 58 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
Second stage - L75 | |
Engines | 1 Liquid |
Thrust | 7.50 t |
Burn time | |
Fuel | Liquid |
Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | CTA |
Country of origin | Brazil |
Size | |
Stages | 3 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | 800 kg |
Launch history | |
Status | In development |
Launch sites | Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara |
First stage - P40 | |
Engines | 1 Solid |
Thrust | 40 t |
Burn time | |
Fuel | Solid |
Second stage - L75 | |
Engines | 1 Liquid |
Thrust | 7.5 t |
Burn time | |
Fuel | Liquid |
VLS Alfa
In the framework of the proposed Cruzeiro do Sul program,[10] the VLS-1 rocket is the basis of the VLS Alfa project.
L5 rocket based configuration - three-stage rocket, with the upper stage being liquid-fuel, putting 200 to 400 kg satellites into low equatorial orbits:
- Stage 0 - four S-43 rocket engines
- Stage 1 - one S-43TM rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one S-40TM rocket engine
- Stage 3 - one L5 rocket engine[11]
L75 rocket based configuration - two-stage rocket, with the upper stage being liquid-fuel, putting 500 kg satellites equatorial orbits up to 750 km:
- Stage 0 - four S-43 rocket engines
- Stage 1 - one S-43TM rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one L75 rocket engine[4]
# | Photo | Vehicle | Payload | Date | Place | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | VLS Alfa XVT-01 | - | 2015 | - | - | |
2 | VLS Alfa XVT-02 | - | 2016 | - | - | |
3 | VLS Alfa V-01 | - | 2017 | - | - | |
4 | VLS Alfa V-02 | SARA Orbital | 2018 | - | - | |
5 | VLS Alfa V-03 | - | 2020 | - | - |
VLS Beta
The VLS Beta is another related project, intended to lift up to 800 kg payloads to an 800 km equatorial orbit.
Three-stage rocket, with the upper two stages being liquid-fuel.
- Stage 1 - one P40 solid rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one L300 rocket engines[12]
- Stage 3 - one L75 rocket engine[4]
Projected flights are:[7]
# | Photo | Vehicle | Payload | Date | Place | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | VLS Beta XVT-01 | - | 2018 | - | - | |
2 | VLS Beta XVT-02 | - | 2019 | - | - | |
3 | VLS Beta V-01 | - | 2020 | - | - |
VLS Gama
The VLS Gama is intended to carry up to 1000 kg payloads to an 800 km polar orbit. Three-stage liquid-fuel rocket.
VLS Delta
The VLS Delta is capable of placing 2000 kg payloads in a geostationary orbit. Three-stage liquid-fuel rocket (VLS BETA body) with two solid fuel boosters.
VLS Epsilon
The VLS Epsilon is capable of placing 4000 kg payloads in a geostationary orbit. Three-stage liquid-fuel rocket (VLS BETA body) with two liquid-fuel boosters.
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ "Veículo Lançador de Satélites (VLS)". Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ CLA - Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara Alcântara Launch Center. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (Portuguese).
- ^ Saiba como está o projeto Veículo Lançador de Satélite (VLS) Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (Portuguese).
- ^ a b c http://www.aeb.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PNAE-Portugues.pdf
- ^ Revista AEB 10 Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (Portuguese).
- ^ http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/10/11/brazil-iae-conducts-vls-qualification-tests/
- ^ a b Brazilian space plans: 2011-2015 nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-06.
- ^ "Brazilian Space". Brazilianspace.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ "VLM: veículo lançador de microsatélites, launch vehicle for SHEFEX-3". German Aerospace Center (DLR). Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ http://www.iae.cta.br/?action=cruzeirodosul
- ^ http://www.aeb.gov.br/download/revista/RevistaAEB_n13.pdf
- ^ http://www.iae.cta.br/?action=vlsbeta
External links
- Brazil hopes to launch satellite rocket in 2011
- Atualizações sobre o Projeto do VLS
- VLS terá teste em Setembro
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