All VLM flights will not happen before 2018. Back in June on
Cyclone4.blogspot it was reported that the S50 will be bench tested Januari 2017. A single S50 sounding rocket VS-50 is planned for a November 2017 launch. And the qualification test flight for VLM-1 is planned for November 2018.
Inside the third quarters earning call of
OHB (MT Aerospace) on page 21 and 22 it is reported that MT Aerospae is developing the Carbon composite casing for the S50 solid rocket engine. The outside diameter will be 1,46m and the casing length 5m (boss to boss length). There it is stated that combustion testing will take place in Brazil at the end of 2017.
So all VLM launches are pushed back well into 2018.
I'm also doubtful VLS-1 will ever take off. No reports jet on what caused the S40 stage of the VS-40 sounding rocket, that would launch the SARA payload on a suborbital trajectory back in November, to explode just after ignition. I really hope it was a procedural or inspection flaw; ia wrong installed ignitor, or fuel grain crack that was overlooked. Those are the easiest to fix. The S40 is the third stage of the VLS-1, so untill the cause of the S40 failure is found, and resolved no launch can take place of the VLS-1. Really bad news for the Brazilian launch schedule, and market.
I also came across
this article on Cyclone4 blogspot. SSC (Swedish Space Corporation), the owner of ESA's Esrange sounding rocket and ballon launch site, will develop two launch sites for the VLM rocket. One at Alcantara (CLA), Maranhao, Brazil. And the other one at Esrange Space Center (SSC), Sweden (project Rainbow).
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