NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

SACI-2

Launch Time
Sat Dec 11, 1999 18:25 UTC

The second stage exploded in flight. The satellite didn't reach orbit. Last flight of VLS-1.

Rocket

VLS-1
AEB
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 623 kN
Payload to LEO: 380 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 19.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 1.0 m

Mission Details

SACI-2

The satellite weighed approximately 80 kg. It was a box approximately 60 cm long and 40 cm square, with a circular base plate and surrounded by a metal ring, both about 80 cm in diameter. Besides being a technology testbed, it carried four scientific payloads (PLASMEX, MAGNEX, OCRAS, and PHOTO), with a total weight of 10 kg, to investigate plasma bubbles in the geomagnetic field, airglow, and anomalous cosmic radiation fluxes. It was meant to circle the Earth on a circular orbit at 750 km altitude, inclined 17.5 ° from the Equator.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 80.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

VLS Pad, Alcântara Launch Center, Maranhão, Brazil

Stats

1999

71st orbital launch attempt

Brazilian Space Agency

2nd mission
1st mission of 1999
2nd failed mission

VLS-1

2nd mission
1st mission of 1999
2nd failed mission