VLS-1

VLS-1
Veículo Lançador de Satélites
VLS launch
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 Cancelled[1]
Launch sites Alcântara VLS Pad
Total launches 2
Failures 2
Other 1 (pad explosion in 2003)
First flight 2 November 1997
Last flight 11 December 1999
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) was the Brazilian Space Agency's main satellite launch vehicle.[2] The launch vehicle was to be capable of launching satellites into orbit. The launch site was located at the Alcântara Launch Center[3] 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.

The VLS was cancelled after decades of development and high expenditures with poor results and a failed association with Ukraine that slowed the program for years.[4][1]

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 was expected to be launched in 2016.[5]

The project was terminated by Brazilian Space Agency in 2016.[6]

The Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial (DCTA) (Department of Aerospace Science and Technology) and the Agência Espacial Brasileira (AEB) (Brazilian Space Agency) informed on public audience before the VLS-1 project ended by the Senado Federal (Federal Senate) on February 16, 2016.

VLS-1 schedule

Initial flight test schedule

#PhotoVehiclePayloadDatePlaceResult
1VLS-R1-1985 December 1CLAFailure, apogee of 10 km.
2VLS-R2-1989 May 18CLAApogee of 50 km.
3VLS-1 V1SCD-2A1997 November 2CLAin-flight failure
4VLS-1 V2SACI 21999 December 11CLAin-flight failure
5VLS-1 V3SATEC2003CLApad explosion on 2003 August 22

Final schedule

The V04 prototype was originally scheduled for launch in 2006. Further testing has resumed in 2008. The final VLS-1 schedule was as follows:[7]

#PhotoVehiclePayloadDatePlaceResult
1mockupelectrical tests with a mockup rocket[8][9]2012CLA- Success
2VLS-1 XVT-01 VSISNAVonly first two stages active2016CLA-
3VLS-1 V-04satellite launch2018CLA-

VLS Configurations

VLS-R1 test vehicle (1985)

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 (1989)

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 (2016, planned)

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 (2018, planned)

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.[10][11][12]

"Cruzeiro do Sul" (Southern Cross) program

VLS Alfa
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 (1,300 lb)
Launch history
Status In development
Launch sites Alcântara Launch Center
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
Fuel Liquid
VLS Beta
Function Orbital launch vehicle
Manufacturer CTA
Country of origin Brazil
Size
Stages 3
Capacity
Payload to LEO 800 kg (1,800 lb)
Launch history
Status In development
Launch sites Alcântara Launch Center
First stage - P40
Engines 1 Solid
Thrust 40 t
Fuel Solid
Second stage L75
Engines 1 Liquid
Thrust 7.5 t
Fuel Liquid

VLS Alfa

In the framework of the proposed Cruzeiro do Sul program,[13] 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[14]

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[7]
#PhotoVehiclePayloadDatePlaceResult
1VLS Alfa XVT-01-2015--
2VLS Alfa XVT-02-2016--
3VLS Alfa V-01-2017--
4VLS Alfa V-02SARA Orbital2018--
5VLS 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[15]
  • Stage 3 - one L75 rocket engine[7]

Projected flights are:[10]

#PhotoVehiclePayloadDatePlaceResult
1VLS Beta XVT-01-2018--
2VLS Beta XVT-02-2019--
3VLS 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.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 http://jornaldosindct.sindct.org.br/index.php?q=node/615 Archived 2016-08-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "Veículo Lançador de Satélites (VLS)". Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  3. ↑ CLA - Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara Alcântara Launch Center. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (in Portuguese).
  4. ↑ http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com.ar/2016/05/problemas-de-governanca-e-gestao.html
  5. ↑ Saiba como está o projeto Veículo Lançador de Satélite (VLS) Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (in Portuguese).
  6. ↑ "VLS". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  7. 1 2 3 http://www.aeb.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PNAE-Portugues.pdf
  8. ↑ Revista AEB 10 Brazilian Space Agency. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (in Portuguese).
  9. ↑ http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/10/11/brazil-iae-conducts-vls-qualification-tests/
  10. 1 2 Brazilian space plans: 2011-2015 nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-06.
  11. ↑ "Brazilian Space". Brazilianspace.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  12. ↑ "VLM: veículo lançador de microsatélites, launch vehicle for SHEFEX-3". German Aerospace Center (DLR). Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  13. ↑ http://www.iae.cta.br/?action=cruzeirodosul
  14. ↑ http://www.aeb.gov.br/download/revista/RevistaAEB_n13.pdf%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  15. ↑ http://www.iae.cta.br/?action=vlsbeta
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