Brazilian Small-lift launch vehicle program
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| Subvenção Econômica à Inovação do Veículo lançador de pequeno porte para lançamento de nano e/ou microssatélites | |
| Program overview | |
|---|---|
| Country | Brazil |
| Organization | |
| Purpose | Orbital launch vehicles |
| Status | active |
| Program history | |
| Cost | 374 millions BRL |
| Duration | 2023-2027 |
| Launch site | Alcântara Space Center |
Small-Lift Launch Vehicle (Veículo Lançador de Pequeno Porte, VLPP), is an Economic Subsidy for Innovation program, budgeted at 374 million BRL (72,400,000 USD) created by the Financier of Studies and Projects, FINEP, in partnership with the Brazilian Space Agency, with the aim of developing orbital satellite launch vehicles of the SLLV class, Small-Lift Launch Vehicle, or Light Launch Vehicle, also called Microlancers.[1]
The public bid was created with the aim of providing resources for the creation of Brazilian orbital launch vehicles, along the lines of NASA's Commercial Crew Program and Commercial Resupply Services. Thus, the Brazilian Government is solely responsible for funding, with the private sector taking responsibility for research and development. This is different from the VLM, where the Aeronautics and Space Institute is responsible for research, development and use, with the private sector supplying the raw materials.[2]
The delays in developing the VLM, with the company responsible, Avibrás, suffering from a financial crisis, was one of the main reasons for creating the call for bids.[3]
In short, the Call for Innovation Grants for small launch vehicles to launch nano and/or microsatellites was created to meet the need for a domestic launch vehicle, in addition to the New Space market outsourcing the role of research and development to the private sector, such as startups.[4]
Requisites
The main requirements of the bidding process were:[2]
- Development of a vehicle capable of launching at least 5 kg of payload into an equatorial circular orbit of 450 km.
- Development of operational means for launching the vehicle.
- Existing operational resources may be used, provided they are duly authorized by the entities that own these resources.
- Developing the vehicle and carrying out the launch operation in compliance with all the safety requirements of the launch site.
- Designing, qualifying and building at least two flight prototypes on Brazilian territory.
- Carrying out launch operations from national territory.
In addition to these, there were differential requirements, but they were not compulsory:[4][5]
- Simultaneous launch of multiple nano-satellites.
- Ability to perform early re-entry of its last stage into the atmosphere (avoid space debris).
- Support for the full spectrum of inclinations, from insertion into low-inclination (equatorial) orbits to polar and heliosynchronous orbits.
- Potential for evolution/growth of its capabilities in payload mass and orbital insertion accuracy.
- Use of systems and equipment developed or under development in parallel programs within the Brazilian Space Program.
- Improved orbital insertion accuracy.
- Best cost per kilo of payload inserted into orbit.
- Greater efficiency for the launch operation in terms of cost, number of human resources involved in the on-site activity and preparation and launch time.
Result
Early result
Initially, Avibrás was chosen as the sole winner of the bid. However, the financial crisis caused it to be disqualified.[5]
Final result
As a result, it was decided that two companies would be chosen: Akaer and CENIC.
- Group I
- Lead by:
- AKAER ENGENHARIA S.A.
- Co-members:
- ACRUX LTDA.
- BRENG ENGENHARIA E TECNOLOGIA LTDA.
- ESSADO DE MORAIS LTDA.
- Group II
- Lead by:
- CENIC ENGENHARIA INDÚSTRIA E COMÉRCIO LTDA
- Co-members:
- CONCERT TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
- SCHELIM ENGENHARIA EIRELLI.
- PLASMAHUB AMBIENTAL IND. ENG. EXP. E IMP. LTDA.
- ETSYS INDÚSTRIA E TECNOLOGIA EM SISTEMAS LTDA.[4]
