VS-50 explained

VS-50
Function:	Sounding rocket Test of the VLM-1 subsystems
Manufacturer:	IAE DLR
Country-Origin:	Brazil, Germany
Mass:	15 t
Stages:	2
Derivatives:	VLM
Status:	In development
Sites:	Alcântara Launch Center
First:	2024 (planned)
Stagedata:	Type: stage Stageno: First S50 Solid: yes Type: stage Stageno: Second S44 Solid: yes

VS-50 (suborbital rocket VS-50) is a joint development of sounding rocket from the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) and German Aerospace Center (DLR).

Characteristics

It is a suborbital vehicle that uses solid propellant, having two stages: the first uses the S50 engine (made of composite material^[1]) and the second uses the S44 engine. It is 12 m long, 1.46 m in diameter, and has a mass of approximately 15 tons, and can carry up to 500 kg of payload.^[2]

Brazil (IAE) is responsible for developing the S50 and S44 engines, the backup navigation system, the launch and flight safety infrastructure, and project documentation management. The development and qualification of the other systems are the responsibility of Germany (DLR).^{[3] [2]}

Goals

The rocket will be used primarily to develop, manufacture and flight qualify the S50 engine, as well as components to be used in the VLM-1 rocket. It will also be used in microgravity testing and hypersonic experiments (such as the German SHEFEX project).^{[3] [2]}

Development

• On December 22, 2016, a contract was signed between IAE and AVIBRAS for the production of eight S50 engines and their accessories. Engines 1 and 2 will be used for engineering tests (structural and burst tests). Engines 3 and 4 will be used for burn tests on a ground test bench. Engines 5 and 6 for validation during flights of the VS-50 rockets, and engines 7 and 8 will be used in the VLM-1 rocket.^{[4] [5]}
• On November 15 and 16, 2018, at Avibras' facilities, acceptance and envelope burst tests were performed on the S50 engine, with the results being in compliance with the design requirements.^{[6] [1]}
• On November 5, 2019, the test firing of the first prototype of the S-50 engine ignitor took place.^[7]
• On July 13, 2021, the second phase of Operation Santa Maria was completed, which integrated an inert S-50 engine and loaded it onto the launching table of the (TMI).^[8]

• On October 1, 2021, a static burn test of the S50 engine was conducted on a test stand. The test lasted about 84 seconds and burned 12 tons of fuel. The objective was to test the engine's endurance and performance, and it was considered a success.^{[9] [10]}
• On December 2, 2023, AEB's president announced that a first flight of the rocket is planned for 2024.^[11]

See also

• Sonda (rocket)
• Brazilian space program
• National Institute for Space Research

Notes and References

1. Book: Relatório de atividades 2018. PDF. São José dos Campos. Linceu Editorial. 2019. Realizações Técnicas. 2020-02-08.
2. Web site: VS-50. 2020-02-08. 2018-04-22. Agência Espacial Brasileira. pt-br.
3. Web site: Revisão preliminar do projeto (PDR) VS-50. 2020-02-08. 2017-07-18. Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço. pt-br.
4. Web site: Contrato garante produção de oito motores S50. 2020-02-08. 2017-01-11. Agência Espacial Brasileira. pt-br.
5. Web site: Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço (IAE), assinou contrato para produção de oito motores S50. 2020-02-08. 2016-12-27. Defesa Aérea & Naval. pt-br.
6. Web site: INSTITUTO DE AERONÁUTICA E ESPAÇO (IAE) E AVIBRAS REALIZAM IMPORTANTES ENSAIOS DO PROJETO VLM-1. 2020-02-08. 2018-11-23. Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço. pt-br.
7. Web site: IAE realiza 1° ensaio de queima do ignitor S50. 2020-02-08. 2020-01-14. Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço. pt-br.
8. Web site: Realizada a segunda fase da Operação Santa Maria . 2021-08-11 . Agência Espacial Brasileira . pt-br.
9. Web site: Exclusivo - DefesaNet resgistra Ensaio Motor S50. 2021-10-03. Nelson Düring. 2021-10-02. DefesaNet. pt-br.
10. Web site: Teste do motor S50 foi um sucesso. 2021-10-03. Coordenação de Comunicação Social - CCS. 2021-10-03. Agência Espacial Brasileira. pt-br.
11. Web site: Andrade . Gabriel . 2023-12-02 . Foguete brasileiro deve ser lançado em 2024, diz presidente da Agência Espacial Brasileira . 2023-12-07 . Giz Brasil . pt-BR.