VLM-1 - Vehicle Design and Analysis (XTRAS-TN-VLM-20150302)

This report is a summary of the activities performed by the X-TRAS (Expertise Raumtransportsysteme) group within the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2014, based on the data and design created by the VLM-1 development team of DLR and the Brazilian Aerospace Technology and Science Department (DCTA/IAE). The analyses were conducted with the present configuration of the VLM-1 Carrier, which is close to the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the Vehicle. VLM-1 is a three-staged solid propellant rocket, capable of scientific suborbital and microsatellite launches. The first two stages feature identical S50 solid rocket motors with thrust vector control and a fixed-nozzle, spin stabilized S44 solid rocket motor in third stage on top. Its maiden flight will take place at Alcantara launch site (Centro de Lancamento de Alcântara) in Brazil. VLM-1 unites flightproven, robust sounding rocket heritage technology and hardware, newly developed motors and structures, and advanced control systems in order to provide efficient launch services. Investigations in this report include, but are not limited to: aerodynamics, trajectory and performance, load analysis, control systems and flight stability, guidance and navigation, mechanical design, separation processes, trust vector control, solid rocket motors, electrical and RF systems, ground infrastructure, fairing separation, launcher testing and qualification, costs, mission cases, and future upgrades; The VLM-1 launcher’s capabilities and system design are described and analyzed in this case study.