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.

Configuration

Original VLS-1 derived

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

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

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^[7] solid fuel engine, with the third using the same S-44 engine as in the VS-40 sounding rocket.^[8] This configuration is related to the proposed VS-50 sounding rocket and known as VLM-1:^[9]

• Stage 1 - S50 rocket engine (to be developed)
• Stage 2 - S50 rocket engine
• Stage 3 - S-44 rocket engine

Planned versions

In the future, the L5 liquid fuel rocket engine will replace the solid 3rd stage engine:^[8]

• Stage 1 - S50 rocket engine (to be developed)
• Stage 2 - S50 rocket engine
• Stage 3 - L5 rocket engine (to be developed)

References