VLS

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VLS

VLS Launch Vehicle - Brazilian VLS space launcher in its launch complex at Alcantara.

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Family: Miscellany. Country: Brazil. Status: Development. Other Designations: Veiculo Lancador de Satelites.

Brazilian satellite launcher building on successful family of sounding rockets.

Specifications

Launches: 2. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 0.00% pct. First Launch Date: 02 November 1997. Last Launch Date: 11 December 1999. LEO Payload: 380 kg. to: 200 km Orbit. at: 5.0 degrees. Payload: 80 kg. to a: sun synchronous, 800 km, 98.6 deg orbital trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 106,960 kgf. Total Mass: 49,609 kg. Core Diameter: 1.0 m. Total Length: 19.5 m. Development Cost $: 300.00 million. in 1990 average dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 8.00 million. in 1999 unit dollars.

Stage Number: 0. 4 x VLS-0 Gross Mass: 8,550 kg. Empty Mass: 1,328 kg. Thrust (vac): 30,900 kgf. Isp: 260 sec. Burn time: 59 sec. Isp(sl): 225 sec. Diameter: 1.0 m. Span: 1.0 m. Length: 9.0 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. S-43
Stage Number: 1. 1 x VLS-1 Gross Mass: 8,720 kg. Empty Mass: 1,536 kg. Thrust (vac): 32,700 kgf. Isp: 277 sec. Burn time: 58 sec. Isp(sl): 170 sec. Diameter: 1.0 m. Span: 1.0 m. Length: 8.1 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. S-43TM
Stage Number: 2. 1 x VLS-2 Gross Mass: 5,664 kg. Empty Mass: 1,212 kg. Thrust (vac): 21,250 kgf. Isp: 275 sec. Burn time: 56 sec. Isp(sl): 204 sec. Diameter: 1.0 m. Span: 1.0 m. Length: 5.8 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. S-40TM
Stage Number: 3. 1 x VLS-3 Gross Mass: 1,025 kg. Empty Mass: 190 kg. Thrust (vac): 3,390 kgf. Isp: 282 sec. Burn time: 68 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.0 m. Span: 1.0 m. Length: 1.8 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. S-44

VLS Chronology

1997 Nov 2 - - 12:25 GMT. Launch Site: Alcantara . FAILURE: Destroyed during launch.

SCD-2A Spacecraft: SCD. Mass: 115 kg.
The SCD-2A (Data Collection Satellite 2A) was a Brazilian satellite designed for the collection of meteorological data relayed by data collection platforms spread throughout the Brazilian territory.

1999 Dec 11 - - 18:30 GMT. LV Configuration: VLS-1 s/n V02. Launch Site: Alcantara . FAILURE: Second stage failed to ignite; destroyed by range safety.

SACI-2 Spacecraft: SACI.
Second attempted launch of Brazil's indigenous launcher.

Bibliography:

42 - Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991.
61 - Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al.
455 - Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Third Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 2000.

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Last update 12 March 2001.
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© Mark Wade, 2001 .