Brazil launches first nationally produced rocket

On Aviator’s and Brazilian Air Force Day, last October 23, Brazilian space science made history; The first rocket produced wholly domestically was launched from the Alcântara Launch Center in Maranhão.

The Alcântara Launch Center (CLA) launched the VSB-30 suborbital vehicle with the support of the Suborbital Microgravity Platform (PSM), responsible for the electrical supply and environmental protection of the on-board experiments during all phases of the flight.

In addition, PSM is part of plans for the nationalization of a complete vector set (rocket + platform) aimed at microgravity research, as Brazil previously used the MicroG payload developed by the German Space Agency (DLR).

The VSB-30 is a SONDA-category rocket with solid propulsion stages, rotationally stabilized and capable of carrying loads of up to 400 kg, at altitudes of over 270 km. It carried the experimental “Multiuser Furnace”, developed by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).