VLM (rocket)
{{Short description|Proposed Brazilian satellite launcher}}
{{Infobox rocket
|name = VLM-1
Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites
|image = Veículo Lançador de Microssatélite.jpg
|caption = VLM-1 configuration
|function = Orbital launch vehicle
|manufacturer = Institute of Aeronautics and Space
|country-origin = {{BRA}}
|height = {{cvt|19.6|m|abbr=on}}
|alt-height =
|diameter = {{cvt|1.45|m|abbr=on}}
|alt-diameter =
|mass = {{convert|28,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|alt-mass =
|stages = 3
|capacities =
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = LEO
|kilos = {{cvt|150|kg}} to 300 km
}}
|status = In development
|sites = Alcântara Space Center
|launches =
|fail =
|stagedata =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|name = S-50
|engines = 1 Solid
|solid = yes
|SI = ~{{cvt|277|isp}}
|fuel = Solid
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|name = S-50
|engines = 1 Solid
|solid = yes
|SI = ~{{cvt|277|isp}}
|fuel = Solid
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Third
|name = S-44
|engines = 1 Solid
|solid = yes
|thrust = {{cvt|33.24|kN}}
|SI = {{cvt|282|isp}}
|burntime = 68 seconds
|fuel = Solid
}}
}}
The VLM (Veículo Lançador de Microsatélites) is a proposed three-stage satellite launcher being developed by the Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology in collaboration with Germany. The project originated in 2008 as a simplified version of the VLS-1 rocket, using only the core stages. The first launch is currently planned for no earlier than October 2028{{Cite web |last=Carlos |first=Raul |date=2025-01-08 |title=VLM tem novo cronograma, mas tudo depende da AVIBRAS |url=https://foguetesbrasileiros.com/vlm-tem-novo-cronograma-mas-tudo-depende-da-avibras/08/01/2025/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Revista Foguetes Brasileiros |language=pt-BR}}
A version based on the S-50 rocket motor is being developed, with the objective of launching satellites of up to 150 kg into equatorial circular orbits at 300 km altitude.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/programa-espacial-brasileiro/transporte-espacial/vlm-1 |title=VLM-1 |work=Brazilian Space Agency |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |language=pt}}
VLM-1 description
The VLM-1 vehicle is designed to deliver up to {{cvt|150|kg|abbr=on}} to a 300 km equatorial circular orbit. VLM-1 is projected to have a total mass of {{convert|28,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, including 10 tons of propellant. The first two stages will use the S-50 solid fuel engine, with the third using the same S-44 engine as in the VS-40 sounding rocket.{{cite web |last=Messier |first=Doug |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/10/07/brazil-plans-launch-of-brazilian-orbital-rocket-from-brazilian-soil-in-2022/ |title=Brazil Plans Launch of Brazilian Orbital Rocket from Brazilian Soil in 2022 |work=Parabolic Arc |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110152606/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/10/07/brazil-plans-launch-of-brazilian-orbital-rocket-from-brazilian-soil-in-2022/ |url-status=dead }}
- Stage 1: S-50 rocket motor
- Stage 2: S-50 rocket motor
- Stage 3: S-44 rocket motor
Launches will be from the Alcântara Launch Center, located at the equator. There are plans to expand this design into the VLX launcher family, by adding liquid fuel upper stages or strap-on boosters.
Development history
Development on VLM started in 2008 for the purpose of low-cost and reliable launch of microsatellites, based on existing Brazilian sounding rockets like the VS-40 and technology developed for the VLS-1 project.{{cite web |last=Caiafa |first=Roberto |url=http://tecnodefesa.com.br/novos-lancadores-de-satelites-e-nova-empresa-espacial-para-alcantara-aeb/ |title=Novos lançadores de satélites e nova empresa espacial para Alcântara (AEB) |work=Tecnologia & Defensa |date=10 December 2018 |access-date=8 October 2020 |language=pt}}
Initially, a four-stage rocket using solid fuel was proposed, arranged in the following order:
- Stage 1: S-43 rocket motor
- Stage 2: S-40TM rocket motor
- Stage 3: S-44 rocket motor
- Stage 4: S-33 rocket motor
=VS-50=
{{Main article|VS-50}}
In 2011 it was decided to build a precursor single-stage rocket bearing a new motor called S-50. The vehicle is being developed and its motor tested in collaboration with the German Space Agency (DLR).{{cite web |last=de Selding |first=Peter B. |url=https://www.spaceintelreport.com/brazil-says-ground-test-micro-satellite-launcher-developed-germany-occur-year/ |title=Brazil says ground test of micro-satellite launcher developed with Germany to occur this year |work=Space Intel Report |date=4 January 2018 |url-access=subscription}} This precursor test is called VS-50. The VS-50 vehicle measures {{cvt|12|m|abbr=on}} long, {{cvt|1.46|m|abbr=on}} in diameter, and has a mass of about 15 tons. All launches are planned to take place from the Alcântara Launch Center, located on Brazil's northern Atlantic coast.
On 1 October 2021, the Brazilian Space Agency successfully conducted the first full static fire test of the S-50 motor, lasting 84 seconds.{{cite web |date=7 October 2021 |title=Successful static firing test with DLR involvement |url=https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2021/04/20211007_s50-rocket-motor-for-microlaunchers.html |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=DLR}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/teste-do-motor-s-50-foi-um-sucesso |title=Teste do motor S50 foi um sucesso |work=Brazilian Space Agency |date=1 October 2021 |language=pt}}{{cite web |url=https://valor.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2021/09/27/brasil-da-passo-decisivo-em-preparacao-para-lancar-microssatelites-a-orbita-da-terra.ghtml |title=Brasil dá passo decisivo em preparação para lançar microssatélites à órbita da Terra |work=Valor |date=1 October 2021 |language=pt}}{{Cite web |last=Drăgan |first=Otilia |date=2021-10-11 |title=Brazil Just Tested Its Largest Rocket Motor Ever, for Experiments at Hypersonic Speeds |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/brazil-just-tested-its-largest-rocket-motor-ever-for-experiments-at-hypersonic-speeds-171410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228192305/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/brazil-just-tested-its-largest-rocket-motor-ever-for-experiments-at-hypersonic-speeds-171410.html |archive-date=2023-12-28 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=autoevolution |language=en}}
=VLX family=
When the VLM design and tests are completed to satisfaction, it is planned to develop a larger rocket family called VLX, targeting the delivery of payloads of between 300 and 500 kg to low Earth orbit. The VLX family will include two launchers named Aquila 1 (for delivery of 300 kg to 500 km) and Aquila 2 (for delivery of 500 kg to 700 km into a polar orbit). An early concept calls for two lateral S-50 motor configured as strap-on boosters. A new liquid fuel engine, called L-75, is being designed for this launcher family. As of 2018, it was hoped that the maiden flight of Aquila 1 would take place in 2023, and that of Aquila 2 in 2026.
Planned versions
In the future, the L5 liquid fuel rocket engine will replace the solid 3rd stage engine. The configuration will be:
- Stage 1: S-50 rocket motor
- Stage 2: S-50 rocket motor
- Stage 3: L5 rocket engine (to be developed)
Other possibilities
Brazilian researchers have studied the possibility of a cost-competitive launch system using S-50 motors in the first two stages and a set of liquid engines in the third stage. This system operating from the Alcântara Launch Center could insert satellites weighing up to 500 kg into polar orbits with a transport cost of approximately US$39,000 per kilogram of payload.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=Alcantara+Launch+Center|title=MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals|website=www.mdpi.com}}
Proposed flights
The qualification flight is VLM-1 (or XVT-00).{{cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vlm.htm |title=VLM |work=Gunter's Space Page |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020}}
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| style="background:#ffdead;"
! # !! Vehicle !! Payload !! Date !! Launch site | ||||
| 1 | VLM-1 (XVT-00) | Qualification | NET Oct 2028 | {{center|Alcântara VLS}} |
| 2 | VLM V-01 | SHEFEX III | 202x | {{center|Alcântara VLS}} |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/programa-espacial-brasileiro/transporte-espacial/vlm-1 Home website of VLM-1] at the Brazilian Space Agency
- {{Cite web|url=https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/launch-remains-distant/|title=Launch remains distant|date=January 2022|author=Domingos Zaparolli}}
{{Brazil space program}}
{{Expendable launch systems}}
{{Commons category-inline}}
Category:Space launch vehicles of Brazil