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VSB-30
Credit - NASA
Sounding rocket. Country: Brazil. Status: Active.

Brazilian sounding rocket family.

Manufacturer: INPE. Launches: 62. Failures: 5. Success Rate: 91.94%. First Launch Date: 1965-04-01. Last Launch Date: 2007-12-16. Launch data is: continuing. Version:

Sonda 1. Status: Retired 1966.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sonda 1-1 + 1 x Sonda 1-2

Manufacturer: CONAE. Launches: 9. First Launch Date: 1965-04-01. Last Launch Date: 1966-11-12. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 27.000 kN (6,069 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Core Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Total Length: 4.50 m (14.70 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-10-1. Gross Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Empty Mass: 15 kg (33 lb). Motor: 1 x Sonda 1 Booster. Thrust (vac): 27.000 kN (6,069 lbf). Length: 1.50 m (4.90 ft). Diameter: 0.13 m (0.42 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x S-10-2. Gross Mass: 30 kg (66 lb). Empty Mass: 14 kg (30 lb). Motor: 1 x Sonda 1. Thrust (vac): 4.200 kN (944 lbf). Burn time: 32 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.11 m (0.36 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sonda 2. Status: Retired 1996.

Single stage vehicle.

Manufacturer: CONAE. Launches: 7. First Launch Date: 1990-02-21. Last Launch Date: 1996-08-28. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 36.000 kN (8,093 lbf). Total Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Core Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Total Length: 5.60 m (18.30 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-20. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 77 kg (169 lb). Motor: 1 x S-20. Thrust (vac): 36.000 kN (8,093 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 4.20 m (13.70 ft). Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sonda 3. Status: Active.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sonda 3-1 + 1 x Sonda 2A

Manufacturer: CONAE. Launches: 28. Failures: 3. First Launch Date: 1976-02-26. Last Launch Date: 2002-05-12. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Total Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Core Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Total Length: 8.00 m (26.20 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x S-20. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 77 kg (169 lb). Motor: 1 x S-20. Thrust (vac): 36.000 kN (8,093 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 4.20 m (13.70 ft). Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sonda 3 M1.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sonda 3-1 + 1 x Sonda 2M

Apogee: 600 km (370 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Total Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Core Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Total Length: 8.00 m (26.20 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x S-23. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Empty Mass: 69 kg (152 lb). Motor: 1 x S-23. Thrust (vac): 18.000 kN (4,046 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 2.20 m (7.20 ft). Diameter: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sonda 4. Status: Retired 1989.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x S-43 + 1 x Sonda 3-1

Launches: 4. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1984-11-21. Last Launch Date: 1989-03-28. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 203.000 kN (45,636 lbf). Total Mass: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb). Core Diameter: 1.01 m (3.31 ft). Total Length: 11.00 m (36.00 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-43. Gross Mass: 8,550 kg (18,840 lb). Empty Mass: 1,328 kg (2,927 lb). Motor: 1 x S-43. Thrust (vac): 303.000 kN (68,117 lbf). Isp: 260 sec. Burn time: 59 sec. Length: 9.00 m (29.50 ft). Diameter: 1.00 m (3.20 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

VS-30. Status: Active.

Single stage suborbital launch vehicle.

Launches: 7. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1997-04-28. Last Launch Date: 2007-12-16. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Total Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Core Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Total Length: 5.00 m (16.40 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

VS-30/Orion. Status: Active.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sonda 3-1 + 1 x Orion

Launches: 3. First Launch Date: 2000-08-21. Last Launch Date: 2005-10-27. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Total Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Core Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Total Length: 7.00 m (22.90 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Taurus Orion-2. Gross Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Empty Mass: 111 kg (244 lb). Motor: 1 x Orion. Thrust (vac): 13.000 kN (2,922 lbf). Burn time: 32 sec. Length: 2.70 m (8.80 ft). Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

VSB-30. Status: Active.

Two stage suborbital launch vehicle consisting of 1 x S-31 plus 1 x S-30. It replaced the British Skylark for suborbital flights from Kiruna.

In 1996, DLR proposed to Centro Tecnico Aerospacial (CTA) the adaptation of its Mini-TEXUS payload to the first stage of SONDA III, which had its first flight in 1976. This new single stage vehicle was known as VS-30. In 2001, the Unified Microgravity Program for Sounding Rockets proposed to CTA the development of a boosted version of the VS-30. The challenge was accepted and the development of the S31 booster motor started. The qualification of the motor consisted of three static firings. The maiden flight was from Alcantara in 2004 in Alcantara. The first operational flight from Kiruna was in 2005.

Launches: 4. First Launch Date: 2004-10-23. Last Launch Date: 2007-07-19. Payload: 407 kg (897 lb). Apogee: 260 km (160 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Total Mass: 2,657 kg (5,857 lb). Core Diameter: 0.58 m (1.89 ft). Total Length: 12.80 m (41.90 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x S-31. Gross Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Empty Mass: 284 kg (626 lb). Motor: 1 x S-31. Thrust (vac): 240.000 kN (53,950 lbf). Burn time: 11 sec. Length: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x S-30. Gross Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Empty Mass: 341 kg (751 lb). Motor: 1 x S-30. Thrust (vac): 102.000 kN (22,930 lbf). Burn time: 20 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.56 m (1.83 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Sonda Chronology

1965 April 1 - Natal -. Sonda 1 1 Test mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 5 - 13:55 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-4C Ionosphere mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 13:38 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-3C Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 14:08 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-10C Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 14:50 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-15C Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 14:55 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-4 Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 15:08 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-11 Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 15:22 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-13 Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1966 November 12 - 15:35 GMT - Cassino -. Sonda 1 D-16C Eclipse mission Apogee: 65 km (40 mi).

1976 February 26 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-01 FAILURE: Failure. Serido test Agency: IAE. Apogee: 47 km (29 mi).

1976 September 21 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-02 Test mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 543 km (337 mi).

1977 March 31 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-03 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 546 km (339 mi).

1977 October 19 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-04 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 590 km (360 mi).

1978 April 26 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-05 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 615 km (382 mi).

1978 September 27 - Natal -. Sonda 3-M1 XV-06 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi).

1979 August 23 - Natal -. Sonda 3-M2 XV-07 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 248 km (154 mi).

1980 August 27 - Natal -. Sonda 3-M1 XV-08 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 245 km (152 mi).

1980 December 22 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-09 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

1981 December 10 - Natal -. Sonda 3-M1 XV-10 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 239 km (148 mi).

1982 June 30 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-11 BIME Test Flight test Agency: IAE. Apogee: 549 km (341 mi).

1982 September 8 - 21:52 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-12 GL A20.123-01 BIME Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 525 km (326 mi).

1982 September 13 - 21:05 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-13 GL A20.123-02 BIME Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 506 km (314 mi).

1982 September 17 - 20:56 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-14 Colored Bubbles Ionosphere mission Agency: DLR/US. Apogee: 335 km (208 mi).

1982 September 18 - 20:45 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-15 Colored Bubbles Ionosphere mission Agency: DLR/US. Apogee: 335 km (208 mi).

1983 June 1 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-16 Manicore Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 599 km (372 mi).

1983 October 31 - 22:35 GMT - Wallops Island -. Sonda 3 XV-17 FAILURE: Failure. GL A20.327-01 (IMS) Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 81 km (50 mi).

1983 November 14 - 10:20 GMT - Wallops Island -. Sonda 3 XV-18 FAILURE: Failure. GL A20.327-02 (IMS) Ionosphere mission Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 55 km (34 mi).

1984 July 26 - 18:05 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-19 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 566 km (351 mi).

1984 November 21 - Natal -. Sonda 4 PT-01 Test mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 616 km (382 mi).

1985 November 19 - 13:00 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 4 PT-02 GL A40.401 (HARP) test Agency: IAE. Apogee: 667 km (414 mi).

1985 December 11 - 23:30 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-20 Aeronomy mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 516 km (320 mi).

1986 November 1 - 01:59 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-21 INPE-003 / 86 Aeronomy mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 444 km (275 mi).

1987 November 8 - Natal -. Sonda 4 PT-03 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

1989 March 28 - Natal -. Sonda 4 PT-04 Test mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 821 km (510 mi).

1990 February 21 - Alcantara -. Sonda 2 XV-53 Alcantara Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi).

1990 November 26 - Alcantara -. Sonda 2 XV-54 Manival Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi).

1990 November 30 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-22 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1991 April 29 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-23 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 441 km (274 mi).

1991 December 9 - 21:05 GMT - Alcantara -. Sonda 2 XV-55 Aguas Belas Aeronomy mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi).

1992 June 1 - 02:52 GMT - Alcantara -. Sonda 3 XV-24 Aeronomy mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 282 km (175 mi).

1992 October 31 - Alcantara -. Sonda 2 XV-56 Ponta de Areia Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi).

1993 March 22 - Alcantara -. Sonda 2 XV-57 Maruda Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 102 km (63 mi).

1993 November 17 - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-25 Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 555 km (344 mi).

1994 June 22 - Natal -. Sonda 2 XV-58 Oituia Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi).

1995 December 19 - 01:17 GMT - Alcantara -. Sonda 3 XV-26? Ionosphere mission Agency: IAE. Apogee: 406 km (252 mi).

1996 August 28 - Natal -. Ionosphere mission Agency: INPE/IAE. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi).

1997 April 28 - 16:42 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30 XV-01 DLR AL-VS30-223 test Agency: INPE/DLR. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

1997 October 12 - 01:19 GMT - Andoya -. VS-30 XV-02 RONALD DLR AL-VS30-226 Aeronomy mission Agency: INPE/DLR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1998 January 31 - 23:43 GMT - Andoya -. VS-30 XV-03 RONALD 2 DLR AL-VS30-229 Aeronomy mission Agency: INPE/DLR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1999 March 15 - 09:52 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30 XV-04 Operacao San Marcos Microgravity mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 128 km (79 mi).

2000 February 6 - 16:37 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30 XV-05 Lencois Maranhenses Microgravity mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 148 km (91 mi).

2000 August 21 - 20:14 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30/Orion XV-01 Baronesa Microgravity mission Agency: AEB/DLR. Apogee: 315 km (195 mi).

2000 December 9 - 12:20 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-30 Alecrim Microgravity mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 430 km (260 mi).

2002 May 12 - 04:47 GMT - Natal -. Sonda 3 XV-31 Parnamirim F2Glow-2 Ionosphere mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 593 km (368 mi).

2002 November 23 - 22:18 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30/Orion XV-02 Piraperna Ionosphere mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 434 km (269 mi).

2002 December 1 - 12:33 GMT - Alcantara -. VS-30 XV-06 FAILURE: Failure. Cuma Microgravity mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi).

2004 October 23 - 16:51 GMT - Alcantara -. VSB-30 XV-01 Cajuana test Agency: AEB. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Unguided test launch. During the 45 seconds total burn time of both motors the vehicle was accelerated to a final velocity of 1676 m/s. The payload segment with an approximate weight of 400 kg was carried to an apogee height of almost 240 km, which was reached 252 seconds after lift-off. At T+650 seconds the payload landed 190 km northeast of the launch site in the ocean, only 700 meters from the nominal impact point.

2005 October 27 - 13:45 GMT - Andoya -. SHEFEX Re-entry vehicle test Agency: DLR. Apogee: 211 km (131 mi).

2005 December 1 - 09:04 GMT - Kiruna -. TEXUS EML-1/TEXUS 42 Microgravity mission Agency: SSC/DLR. Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). This was the first launch of the Brazilian sounding rocket VSB-30, replacing the British Skylark, from Esrange. The speed when leaving the launcher was about 60 m/s and after 45 seconds of acceleration the max speed was over 200 m/s. During the flight the experiments onboard spent approximately 6 minutes of microgravity and all experiments worked successfully. The payload was brought back for analysis at Esrange by helicopter within one hour after landing.

2006 May 10 - 08:12 GMT - Kiruna -. TEXUS 43 Microgravity mission Agency: SSC/DLR. Apogee: 237 km (147 mi). The TEXUS 43 mission gave around six minutes of microgravity to the 407 kg payload contributed by five investigators from three different institutes

2007 July 19 - 15:13 GMT - Alcantara -. Cuma II Microgravity mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 242 km (150 mi).

2007 December 16 - 09:15 GMT - Natal -. Angicos GPS technology mission Agency: AEB. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.