VLS-1
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 VLS rocket on the launch pad |
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| Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | IAE |
| 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 |
| Maiden flight | 2 November 1997 |
| Boosters (Stage 0) - 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 - Satellite Launch Vehicle - (Portuguese: "Veículo Lançador de Satélites") is the Brazilian Space Agency's main satellite launch vehicle project[1] . The project's goal is to develop a launch vehicle capable of launching small general-purpose satellites into orbit. The project is located at the Alcântara Launch Center[2] due its proximity to the equator.
Associated vehicles include the Sonda I, II, III and IV, the VS-30, VS-40 and VSB-30.
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[edit] History
VLS-1 development started in 1984, after the first launch of the Sonda IV rocket.
First tests:
- 1985 December 1 - VLS-R1 VLS-R1 - Failure, apogee of 10 km.
- 1989 May 18 - VLS-R1 VLS-R2 Apogee of 50 km.
To date, three prototypes have been built and two launches attempted, departing from the Alcântara Launch Center. During the V01 and V02 prototype launches (VLS-1 V01 on 02/12/1997 and VLS-1 V02 on 11/12/1999) technical problems prevented mission success, but allowed the testing of several vehicle components.
The V03 prototype (VLS-1 V03), originally scheduled to launch in 2003, exploded on the pad on August 22 of that year, two days before to its intended launch date. See the 2003 Alcântara VLS accident article for details about this disaster.
The V04 prototype (VLS-1 V04) was originally scheduled for launch in 2006.
Further testing has resumed in 2008.
[edit] Developments
[edit] Alfa (VLS-2)
The VLS-1 project is being concurrently developed with the VLS-2 project. The VLS-2 project, now called Alfa will be a medium-size launch vehicle, with the purpose of putting satellites into low or geostationary orbits.
[edit] VLM
Also, the VLM (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélite) is being studied, with the objective of orbiting satellites up to 100kg. It uses the core of VLS only.
[edit] Current schedule
Current VLS-1 schedule is as follows:
- 2010 - electrical tests with a mockup rocket
- 2010 - VLS-XVI 01 / VLS-1B (only first two stages active)
- 2011 - VLS–VT 01 (with only the 4 first stage engines will fire, separation of the second and third stages will be tested)
- 2012 - VLS–VT 02 (complete rocket test)
- 2012 - VLS-1 V4 (satellite launch)
[edit] References
[edit] 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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