VLM (rocket)

VLM-1
Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites

The two projected VLM configurations
Function Orbital launch vehicle
Manufacturer CTA
Country of origin  Brazil
Size
Diameter 1.5 m
Stages 3
Capacity
Payload to LEO 200 kg
Launch history
Status In development
Launch sites Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara
First flight 2018 (planned)
First stage - S-50
Engines 1 Solid
Thrust ~400 kN
Specific impulse ~277 s (2.72 kN·s/kg)
Burn time ~60 seconds
Fuel Solid
Second stage - S-50
Engines 1 Solid
Thrust ~400 kN
Specific impulse ~277 s (2.72 kN·s/kg)
Burn time ~60 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 VLM (Veículo Lançador de Microssatélites) is a proposed Brazilian satellite launcher. The project originated as a simplified version of the VLS-1 rocket, using only the core stages.

Currently, a version 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 2016.[1][2][3]

On 12 June 2015, it was reported that the first flight will not take place before november 2018.[4]

Proposed flights

Engine test on a test stand is planned for the beginning of 2017. First flight of a single S50 stage, called VS-50 is planned for November 2017. The qualification flight is VLM XVT-00

# Photo Vehicle Payload Date Place Result
1 VLM XVT-00 - November 2018 - -
2 VLM V-01 SHEFEX III >2018 - -
3 VLM V-02 - ?2016 - -
4 VLM V-03 - ?2017 - -
5 VLM V-04 - ?2018 - -
6 VLM V-05 - ?2019 - -
7 VLM V-06 - ?2020 - -

Configuration

Original VLS-1 derived

Initially, a four solid fuel rocket stages configuration was proposed, arranged in the following order:

This configuration is related to the proposed VS-43 sounding rocket.

Current proposal (VLM-1)

Currently, the first two stages will use the new S50 12 tonnes[5] solid fuel engine, with the third using the same S-44 engine as in the VS-40 sounding rocket.[6] This configuration is related to the proposed VS-50 sounding rocket and known as VLM-1:[7]

Planned versions

In the future, the L5 liquid fuel rocket engine will replace the solid 3rd stage engine:[6]

References

  1. Brazilian space plans: 2011-2015 nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-06.
  2. "Brazilian Space". Brazilianspace.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  3. "VLM: veículo lançador de microsatélites, launch vehicle for SHEFEX-3". German Aerospace Center (DLR). Retrieved 2013-05-24.
  4. http://cyclone4.blogspot.nl/2015/09/o-programa-cruzeiro-do-sul-e-o-veiculo.html
  5. 1 2 (PDF) http://web.archive.org/web/20140903141005/http://www.aeb.gov.br/download/revista/RevistaAEB_n13.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "BRAZILIAN SPACE: Esclarecido, Realmente é o Mock Up do Motor-Foguete S-50". Brazilianspace.blogspot.pt. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
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