Brazil Advances in the development of the MLBR rocket

Brazilian Microlauncher Successfully Completes Critical Design Review and Moves to Construction Phase

On May 29–30, the Brazilian Microlauncher Project – MLBR – reached a major milestone in its development timeline: the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR). This technical review marks the formal approval of all engineering aspects of the rocket, authorizing the start of the construction and testing phase.

Following international standards applied to high-complexity aerospace programs, the CDR is a mandatory stage that assesses whether the designed system is safe, feasible, and meets mission requirements. “The approval of the Critical Design Review demonstrates the team’s maturity and commitment to technical excellence. We are ready to put Brazil in the spotlight of space exploration,” said Ralph Corrêa, director of Cenic Engenharia, the company leading the initiative.

Standing 12 meters tall, 1.1 meters in diameter, and capable of carrying up to 30 kg of payload to low Earth orbit, the MLBR will be powered by three solid-propellant engines, with launch planned for 2026. Since the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), the project has undergone technical adjustments to improve the vehicle’s flight stability and control. A slight increase in mass was also made to allow for more fuel storage, resulting in better orbital insertion performance.

Highlights

During the CDR, several subsystems stood out for exceeding the expected maturity level for this phase. This includes the telemetry systems – responsible for transmitting vehicle data to ground stations – and the inertial navigation system (INS), both of which have already had their qualification models successfully built and tested. These systems are already in their final flight configuration.

Among the tests performed, the vibration qualification of the INS-GNSS system stood out. The simulations, conducted in a laboratory setting, replicated the intense vibrations expected during launch, including critical phases such as ignition, peak acceleration, and stage separation. Vibration profiles were based on real mission data, ensuring a robust and representative test.

Another technical milestone was the successful integration between the INS-GNSS and the Mission Computer (CDM) – the onboard “brain” of the rocket. The CDM is responsible for real-time monitoring and control of critical systems during flight, processing sensor data and making autonomous decisions to ensure mission stability, accuracy, and safety.

The CDR’s successful completion marks a major advancement in the MLBR’s development, reflecting the synergy among the companies involved and the project’s growing technical maturity. More than just a technical milestone, it symbolizes the strengthening of Brazil’s capacity to develop complete and complex space solutions. “The MLBR represents the consolidation of Brazil’s space industry, boosting the high-tech sector and developing new national competencies,” adds Ralph Corrêa.

Next Steps

The next major milestone is the Systems Qualification Review (SQR), which will evaluate the qualification of the vehicle’s main subsystems, such as propulsion, electrical networks, structures, and the launch pad.

In terms of propulsion, the key tests will be “static firings” – bench tests in which the engines are ignited while secured. These tests will validate the generated thrust, structural resistance during burn, and the thermal behavior of components exposed to high temperatures.

For the onboard electronics, environmental tests will simulate the extreme conditions of spaceflight, including severe temperature variations, vibration, and mechanical shock caused by stage separation. Among the planned tests are Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) assessments, which verify the emission and resistance of components to electromagnetic interference, electrostatic discharges, and conducted surges through system cables.

About the MLBR Project

The MLBR is a Brazilian program dedicated to developing high-performance launch vehicles focused on scientific missions and launching satellites into low Earth orbit. Bringing together experts from various engineering fields, the project represents a strategic step toward national sovereignty in space access.

The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), through the Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep), in partnership with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB). Development is carried out by a national production network that integrates Brazilian technology-based companies such as Cenic Engenharia, ETSYS, Concert Space, Delsis, and Plasmahub, along with strategic partners like Bizu Space, Fibraforte, Almeida’s, and Horuseye Tech.

SOURCE: EHUP