VLS-1
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.
VLS-1 | |
| Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | CTA |
| Country of origin | Brazil |
| Size | |
| Height | 19.5 m (64 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.01 m (3.3 ft) |
| Mass | 50,700 kg (111,800 lb) |
| Stages | 3 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to low Earth orbit | |
| Mass | 380 kg (840 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Cancelled[1] |
| Launch sites | Alcântara VLS Pad |
| Total launches | 2 |
| Failure(s) | 2 |
| Notable outcome(s) | 1 (pad explosion in 2003) |
| First flight | 2 November 1997 |
| Last flight | 11 December 1999 |
| Boosters – S-43 | |
| No. boosters | 4 |
| Powered by | 1 solid rocket booster |
| Total thrust | 303 kN (68,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 225 s (2.21 km/s) |
| Burn time | 59 seconds |
| First stage – S-43TM | |
| Powered by | 1 solid rocket booster |
| Specific impulse | 277 s (2.72 km/s) |
| Burn time | 58 seconds |
| Second stage – S-40TM | |
| Powered by | 1 solid rocket booster |
| Specific impulse | 275 s (2.70 km/s) |
| Burn time | 56 seconds |
| Third stage – S-44 | |
| Powered by | 1 solid rocket booster |
| Specific impulse | 282 s (2.77 km/s) |
| Burn time | 68 seconds |
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 edit
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.[citation needed]
VLS-1 schedule edit
Initial flight test schedule edit
| # | 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 November 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 |
Final schedule edit
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]
VLS Configurations edit
VLS-R1 test vehicle (1985) edit
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) edit
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) edit
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) edit
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 edit
VLM edit
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 2023.[10][11][12]
"Cruzeiro do Sul" (Southern Cross) program edit
VLS Alfa edit
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[7]
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]
| # | 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 edit
The VLS Beta is another related project, intended to lift up to 800 kg payloads to an 800 km equatorial orbit. Its first flight was planned for 2020.[14][15]
Three-stage rocket, with the upper two stages being liquid-fuel.
- Stage 1 - one P40 solid rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one L300 rocket engines[16]
- Stage 3 - one L75 rocket engine[7]
Projected flights are:[10]
| # | 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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- VLS-1 real size mockup
- Engine
- Engine test
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b . jornaldosindct.sindct.org.br. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16.
- ^ "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. (in Portuguese).
- ^ "Problemas de "Governança" e Gestão Explicam em Parte Extinção do VLS-1".
- ^ Saiba como está o projeto Veículo Lançador de Satélite (VLS) Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. (in Portuguese).
- ^ "VLS". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
- ^ a b c d "Motor L5" (PDF). Espaço Brasileiro (12): 12. 2012. ISSN 1981-1187.
- ^ Duarte, Leandro (2010). "Torre Móvel de Integração é concluida" (PDF). Espaço Brasileiro. 10: 16. ISSN 1981-1187.
- ^ "Brazil: IAE Conducts VLS Qualification Tests – Parabolic Arc".
- ^ 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.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Brasil planeja lançar foguetes ao espaço nos próximos anos; veja cronograma" (in Portuguese). Terra.
- ^ "Acesso autônomo ao espaço - Onde o Brasil quer chegar" (in Portuguese). SindcCT.
- ^ "IAE - Página inicial".
External links edit
- Brazil hopes to launch satellite rocket in 2011
- Atualizações sobre o Projeto do VLS
- VLS terá teste em Setembro