VLS-1
{{Short description|Brazilian Space Agency satellite launcher}}
{{For|the naval missile-firing system|Vertical launching system}}
{{Infobox rocket
|name = VLS-1
Veículo Lançador de Satélites
|image = 80px
|imsize =
|caption = VLS-1
|function = Orbital launch vehicle
|manufacturer = CTA
|country-origin = Brazil
|height = {{cvt|19.5|m|ft}}
|diameter = {{cvt|1.01|m|ft}}
|mass = {{cvt|50700|kg|lb}}
|stages = 3
|capacities = {{Infobox rocket/payload|location=low Earth orbit|mass={{cvt|380|kg|lb}}}}
|sites = Alcântara VLS Pad
|launches = 2
|fail = 2
|other_outcome = 1 (pad explosion in 2003)
|first = 2 November 1997
(VLS-1 V01)
|last = 11 December 1999
(VLS-1 V02)
|stagedata =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = booster
|name = S-43
|number = 4
|engines = 1 solid rocket booster
|solid = yes
|total = {{cvt|303|kN|lbf}}
|SI = {{cvt|225|isp}}
|burntime = 59 seconds
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|name = S-43TM
|engines = 1 solid rocket booster
|solid = yes
|total = {{cvt|320.6|kN|lbf}}
|SI = {{cvt|277|isp}}
|burntime = 58 seconds
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|name = S-40TM
|engines = 1 solid rocket booster
|solid = yes
|total = {{cvt|208.39|kN|lbf}}
|SI = {{cvt|275|isp}}
|burntime = 56 seconds
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Third
|name = S-44
|engines = 1 solid rocket booster
|solid = yes
|total = {{cvt|33.24|kN|lbf}}
|SI = {{cvt|282|isp}}
|burntime = 68 seconds}}}}
The VLS-1 ({{Langx|pt|Veículo Lançador de Satélites}}) was the Brazilian Space Agency's main satellite launch vehicle.{{cite web |url=http://www.aeb.gov.br/ |title=Veículo Lançador de Satélites (VLS) |publisher=Brazilian Space Agency |access-date=2011-12-12 |archive-date=2010-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224235650/http://www.aeb.gov.br/ |url-status=dead }} The launch vehicle would have been capable of launching satellites into orbit. The launch site was located at the Alcântara Launch Center[http://www.cla.aer.mil.br CLA - Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718171441/http://www.cla.aer.mil.br/ |date=2013-07-18 }} Alcântara Launch Center. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. {{in lang|pt}}. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com.ar/2016/05/problemas-de-governanca-e-gestao.html|title = Problemas de "Governança" e Gestão Explicam em Parte Extinção do VLS-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.[https://archive.today/20120801122631/http://www.fab.mil.br/portal/capa/index.php?mostra=9073 Saiba como está o projeto Veículo Lançador de Satélite (VLS)] Brazilian Air Force. Retrieved on 2012-03-06. {{in lang|pt}}.
The project was terminated by Brazilian Space Agency in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vls.htm|title=VLS|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=2016-05-07}}
The {{lang|pt|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|date=January 2021}}
VLS-1 schedule
=Initial flight test schedule=
| class="wikitable"
! # !! 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 | 64px | VLS-1 V3 | SATEC | 2003 | CLA | pad 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:{{Cite journal |date=2012 |title=Motor L5 |url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/institucional/revistas-pdf/013revista-peb-jan-jun-2012.pdf |journal=Espaço Brasileiro |issue=12 |pages=12 |issn=1981-1187}}
| class="wikitable"
! # !! Photo !! Vehicle !! Payload !! Date !! Place !! Result | ||||||
| 1 | 112px | mockup | electrical tests with a mockup rocket{{Cite journal |last=Duarte |first=Leandro |date=2010 |title=Torre Móvel de Integração é concluida |url=https://www.gov.br/aeb/pt-br/centrais-de-conteudo/publicacoes/institucional/revistas-pdf/010revista-peb-out-nov-dez-2010.pdf |journal=Espaço Brasileiro |volume=10 |pages=16 |issn=1981-1187}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/10/11/brazil-iae-conducts-vls-qualification-tests/|title=Brazil: IAE Conducts VLS Qualification Tests – Parabolic Arc|access-date=2012-04-20|archive-date=2012-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410201257/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/10/11/brazil-iae-conducts-vls-qualification-tests/|url-status=dead}} | 2012 | CLA | Success |
| 2 | VLS-1 XVT-01 VSISNAV | only first two stages active | 2016 | CLA | canceled | |
| 3 | VLS-1 V-04 | satellite launch | 2018 | CLA | canceled |
VLS Configurations
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
=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=
{{main|VLM (rocket)}}
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.[http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25591.msg821657#msg821657 Brazilian space plans: 2011-2015] nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-06.{{cite web |url=http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com/ |title=Brazilian Space |publisher=Brazilianspace.blogspot.com |access-date=2011-12-12}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10663/1150_read-4517/#gallery/6932 |title=VLM: veículo lançador de microsatélites, launch vehicle for SHEFEX-3 |publisher=German Aerospace Center (DLR) |access-date=2013-05-24}}
="Cruzeiro do Sul" (Southern Cross) program=
==VLS Alfa==
In the framework of the proposed Cruzeiro do Sul program,{{Cite web|url=http://www.iae.cta.br/?action=cruzeirodosul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107170232/www.iae.cta.br/?action=cruzeirodosul |archive-date=2011-11-07 |title=Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço}} 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
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
| class="wikitable"
! # !! 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==
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.{{cite web|language=pt | url = http://noticias.terra.com.br/ciencia/espaco/brasil-planeja-lancar-foguetes-ao-espaco-nos-proximos-anos-veja-cronograma,c74c0be5076a0410VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html | title = Brasil planeja lançar foguetes ao espaço nos próximos anos; veja cronograma | publisher = Terra}}{{cite web|language=pt | url = http://www.sindct.org.br/index.php?q=node/2877 | title = Acesso autônomo ao espaço - Onde o Brasil quer chegar | date=22 May 2024 | publisher = SindcCT }}
Three-stage rocket, with the upper two stages being liquid-fuel.
- Stage 1 - one P40 solid rocket engine
- Stage 2 - one L300 rocket engines{{Cite web|url=https://iae.dcta.mil.br/index.php/todos-os-projetos/todos-os-projetos-desenvolvidos/projetos-vls-beta|title = VLS Beta}}
- Stage 3 - one L75 rocket engine
| class="wikitable"
! # !! 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 ==
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.
Gallery
File:Memorial Aeroespacial Brasileiro (São José dos Campos, Brazil) 1.jpg|VLS-1 real size mockup
File:Motor vls1.jpg|Engine
File:Motor vls2.jpg|Engine test
See also
References
External links
{{commons category|VLS-1}}
- [http://www.spacedaily.com/2006/081021133100.9xsdd6we.html Brazil hopes to launch satellite rocket in 2011]
- [http://panoramaespacial.blogspot.com/2008/05/atualizaes-sobre-o-projeto-do-vls.html Atualizações sobre o Projeto do VLS]
- [http://www.agencia.fapesp.br/materia/9251/noticias/vls-tera-teste-em-setembro.htm VLS terá teste em Setembro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828014603/http://www.agencia.fapesp.br/materia/9251/noticias/vls-tera-teste-em-setembro.htm |date=2009-08-28 }}
{{Brazil space program}}
{{Expendable launch systems}}