VLS-1

For the naval missile-firing system, see Vertical launching system.

VLS-1
Veículo Lançador de Satélites
Satellite Launch Vehicle

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	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, Sonda II, Sonda III and Sonda IV, the VS-30, VS-40 and VSB-30.

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 V01 and V02 prototype launches (VLS-1 V01 and VLS-1 V02) technical problems prevented mission success, but allowed the testing of several vehicle components.

The V03 prototype, 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 was originally scheduled for launch in 2006. Further testing has resumed in 2008.

First tests:

• VLS-R1 VLS-R1 - 1985 December 1 - Failure, apogee of 10 km.
• VLS-R1 VLS-R2 - 1989 May 18 - Apogee of 50 km.
• VLS-1 V01 - 1997 December 02 - in flight failure
• VLS-1 V02 - 1999 December 11 - in flight failure
• VLS-1 V03 - 2003 (scheduled) - pad explosion
• VLS-1 V04 - 2006 (original scheduled)

Current schedule

Current VLS-1 V4 current 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)

Configuration

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

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

The VLS-1B 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

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

Developments

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.

VLM

Also, the VLM-1 (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites) is being studied, with the objective of orbiting satellites up to 150 kg in circular orbits ranging from 250 to 700km. A first three stage version is expected to launch the "Shefex 3" mission in 2015^[3][4].

Configuration

Four solid fuel rocket stages, arranged in the following configuration:

• Stage 1 - S-43 rocket engine
• Stage 2 - S-40TM rocket engine
• Stage 3 - S-44 rocket engine
• Stage 4 - S-33 rocket engine

Gallery

• 

  Engine

• 

  Engine test

• 

  VLS on the launch pad

References

1. ^ :: Agência Espacial Brasileira - AEB ::
2. ^ CLA - Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara
3. ^ http://www.battlecentral.xpg.com.br/forum/showthread.php?t=79415&page=2http://www.battlecentral.xpg.com.br/forum/showthread.php?t=79415&page=2
4. ^ http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com/

External links

• Brazil hopes to launch satellite rocket in 2011
• Atualizações sobre o Projeto do VLS
• VLS terá teste em Setembro