![]() Centaur rocket | |
Country of origin | France [1] |
---|---|
Application | high altitude research |
sounding rocket [2] |
Centaure was a two-stage French sounding rocket consisting of a Venus first stage and a Belier second stage. [3] [4] [5] It belongs to a family of solid-propellant rockets consisting of the Belier, Centaure, Dragon, Dauphin, and Eridan. [4] [5]
It was operated by Sud-Aviation between 1961 and 1986. [3] [5] [6] Centaure rockets were launched from the CIEES/Hammaguir missile range, Reggane, CELPA, Salto di Quirra, Esrange, Thumba, Sonmiani, and Andøya. [5]
It had a maximum payload of 60 kg, an apogee of 130-146 km, [5] a launch thrust of 44 kN, a launch weight of 500-600 kg, a diameter of 0.28 m and a length of 5.9-6.3 m.
There were various versions of Centaure rockets: [4] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
Version | Stages | Gross mass (kg) | Height (m) | Diameter (m) | Apogee (km) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Centaure | Venus + Belier | 457 | 6.02 | 0.28 | 140 |
Centaure 1 | Venus + Belier | 600 | 5.9 | 0.28 | 130 |
Centaure 2A | Venus + Belier II | 600 | 5.9 | 0.28 | 146 |
Centaure 2B | Venus + Belier II | 500 | 6.3 | 0.28 | 146 |
Centaure 2C | Venus + Belier II | 600 | 5.9 | 0.28 | 146 |
A large number of Centaure rockets was launched between 1961 and 1986: [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
Date | Launch Site | Launch Complex | Launch Vehicle | Mission Description | Nation | Agency | Apogee (km) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 May 27 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Test mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1961 May 29 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Test mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1961 December 6 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1961 December 6 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1961 December 9 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1961 December 9 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1961 December 9 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 May 18 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Test mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 May 29 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 May 29 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 May 29 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 June 5 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 June 5 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 June 5 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 June 5 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 June 5 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 November 26 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 November 27 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 November 28 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 November 30 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 November 30 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 November 30 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 November 30 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 December 1 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | FAILURE: Failure | France | CNES | 0 |
1962 December 4 | Hammaguira | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 December 8 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 December 9 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1962 December 12 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1962 December 12 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 130 |
1963 April 1 | Kerguelen | Centaure | Ionosphere mission | France | CNES | 130 | |
1963 May 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1963 May 15 | Centaure | MPE Ba-3 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 155 | ||
1963 May 21 | Reggane | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1963 May 21 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1963 May 21 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | MPE Ba-4 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 125 |
1963 May 24 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1963 May 25 | CELPA | Centaure | Sodium cloud Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 189 | |
1963 May 30 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1963 May 30 | CELPA | Centaure | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1981 February 4 | Thumba | Centaure | Langmuir / E Field Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 150 | |
1982 January 30 | Thumba | Centaure | Langmuir / E Field Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 150 | |
1986 March 7 | Thumba | Centaure | D-region ionization comparison Aeronomy mission | France | ISRO | 140 | |
1963 June 12 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1963 June 13 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1963 June 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 February 9 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 170 |
1964 February 12 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 February 12 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 February 12 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 February 13 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 190 |
1964 February 13 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 February 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-5 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 190 |
1964 February 15 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-6 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 April 11 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium / TMA release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 April 13 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium / TMA release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 May 4 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | CNET A test | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 May 8 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | CNET A test | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 May 10 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Seddon Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 May 10 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 May 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Seddon Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 151 |
1964 October 5 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | CNET B test | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 October 7 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | CNET B test | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 October 29 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | ESRO C02 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 150 |
1964 November 4 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CONAE | 175 | |
1964 November 5 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 November 5 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 November 5 | Reggane | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1964 November 5 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 November 5 | Reggane | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1964 November 5 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CONAE | 176 | |
1964 November 6 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1964 November 6 | Reggane | Centaure 1 | Sodium / TMA release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1964 November 6 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CONAE | 179 | |
1964 November 27 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-9 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 166 |
1964 November 30 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-10 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 207 |
1965 March 4 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | SINTRA pointing Solar mission | France | CNES | 120 |
1965 April 28 | Thumba | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.02 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 150 | |
1965 May 1 | Thumba | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.01 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 140 | |
1965 June 22 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Cs Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 23 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 23 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 23 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 23 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 24 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 24 | Ile du Levant | CERES | Centaure 1 | Sodium release Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 June 24 | Reggane | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 | |
1965 June 24 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | TMA Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 November 18 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bechar | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-14 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 170 |
1965 November 19 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bechar | Centaure 1 | MPE Ba-15 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 190 |
1965 November 25 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | Argentina | 175 | ||
1965 November 25 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | Argentina | 175 | ||
1965 November 26 | CELPA | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | Argentina | 175 | ||
1965 December 7 | Salto di Quirra | Centaure 1 | ESRO C07 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 150 | |
1965 December 11 | Salto di Quirra | Centaure 1 | ESRO C07 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 159 | |
1965 December 14 | Salto di Quirra | Centaure 1 | ESRO C06 / 1 Solar x-ray mission | Europe | ESRO | 159 | |
1965 December 16 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 December 16 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 December 16 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1965 December 20 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1966 January 8 | Thumba | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.03 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 150 | |
1966 January 17 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere mission | France | CNES | 124 |
1966 February 4 | Andoya | Centaure 1 | ESRO C15 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 120 | |
1966 February 22 | Andoya | Centaure 1 | FAILURE: Failure | Europe | ESRO | 20 | |
1966 February 23 | Andoya | Centaure 1 | ESRO C15 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 115 | |
1966 March 3 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Solar ultraviolet mission | France | CNES | 125 |
1966 March 9 | Andoya | Centaure 1 | ESRO C13 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 94 | |
1966 March 10 | Andoya | Centaure 1 | ESRO C13 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 114 | |
1966 March 24 | Thumba | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.04 Aeronomy mission | India | ISRO | 163 | |
1966 March 24 | Thumba | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.05 Aeronomy mission | India | ISRO | 159 | |
1966 May 15 | Nissaki-Karystos | Centaure 1 | ESRO C06 / 2 Solar x-ray mission | Europe | ESRO | 140 | |
1966 May 20 | Nissaki-Karystos | Centaure 1 | ESRO C22 / 1 Solar ultraviolet mission | Europe | ESRO | 118 | |
1966 May 20 | Koroni | Centaure 1 | ESRO C22 / 2 Solar ultraviolet mission | Europe | ESRO | 114 | |
1966 June 13 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium release / Turbulence Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 180 |
1966 June 16 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | Sodium release / Turbulence Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1966 October 8 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | FU-109 test | France | CNES | 150 |
1966 November 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | FU-167 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1966 November 14 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | FU-167 Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 150 |
1966 November 19 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C21 / 1 Aurora / chemical release mission | Europe | ESRO | 123 |
1966 November 29 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C9 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 149 |
1966 November 30 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C9 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 147 |
1967 February 4 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C21 / 2 Aurora / chemical release | Europe | ESRO | 78 |
1967 February 16 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C10 / 1 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 96 |
1967 February 22 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C10 / 2 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 98 |
1967 March 28 | Hammaguira | Hammaguira Bacchus | Centaure 1 | CNES C145 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 90 |
1967 April 19 | Thumba | - | Centaure 1 | ISRO 45.01 Ionosphere | India | ISRO | 79 |
1967 May 3 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy | Pakistan | CNES, SUPARCO | 90 |
1967 May 7 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy | Pakistan | CNES, SUPARCO | 90 |
1967 September 6 | CELPA | - | Centaure 1 | Nation: Argentina | Argentina | CNIE | 90 |
1967 September 7 | CELPA | - | Centaure 1 | Nation: Argentina | Argentina | CNIE | 90 |
1967 November 7 | CELPA | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy mission | France | CNES | 90 |
1967 November 26 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C31 / 1 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 77 |
1967 December 6 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 1 | ESRO C31 / 2 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 80 |
1968 February 2 | Thumba | - | Centaure 1 | ISRO 15.06 Aeronomy | India | ISRO | 98 |
1968 February 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 1 | ISRO 25.02 Aeronomy | India | ISRO | 84 |
1968 February 22 | Thumba | - | Centaure 1 | ISRO 25.01 Aeronomy | India | ISRO | 95 |
1968 March 23 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 81 |
1968 April 3 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 73 |
1968 May 8 | Salto di Quirra | - | Centaure 1 | ESRO C33 / 1 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 32 |
1968 May 15 | Salto di Quirra | - | Centaure 1 | ESRO C33 / 2 Ionosphere | Europe | ESRO | 49 |
1968 November 3 | Thumba | - | Centaure 1 | ISRO 35.01 X-ray astronomy | India | ISRO | 98 |
1969 February 9 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | FAILURE | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 34 |
1969 February 13 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | FAILURE | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 7 |
1969 July 10 | Ile du Levant | - | Centaure 1 | CNES C81 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 67 |
1969 July 10 | Ile du Levant | - | Centaure 1 | CNES C82 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 70 |
1971 April 26 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | INTA C-7101 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 80 |
1971 May 26 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | INTA C-7102 Aeronomy /ionosphere | France | CNES | 79 |
1971 May 27 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | INTA C-7103 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 78 |
1971 May 27 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | INTA C-7104 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 64 |
1971 September 13 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 1 | CNES C133 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 90 |
1971 September 19 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 1 | CNES C132 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 90 |
1971 September 19 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 1 | CNES C146 Aeronomy | France | CNES | 90 |
1971 October 18 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 1 | CNES C154 / ISRO 5.13? Recovery test | India | ISRO | 90 |
1972 April 7 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy / ionosphere | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 90 |
1972 April 8 | Sonmiani | - | Centaure 1 | Aeronomy / ionosphere | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 90 |
1977 December 12 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere | France | INTA | 90 |
1977 December 16 | El Arenosillo | - | Centaure 1 | Ionosphere | France | INTA | 90 |
1969 February 26 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 45.02 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 145 | |
1969 March 31 | Sonmiani | Centaure 2A | Rehnuma 1 Aeronomy mission | Pakistan | SUPARCO | 138 | |
1969 December 7 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 45.03 Test / ionosphere / x-ray astronomy mission | India | ISRO | 123 | |
1971 January 7 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | FAILURE: Failure | India | ISRO | 10 | |
1972 August 12 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.14 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 150 | |
1972 August 17 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.16 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 151 | |
1972 October 13 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.17 Fields mission | India | ISRO | 120 | |
1973 January 21 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.15 Fields mission | India | ISRO | 165 | |
1973 February 2 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.18 CO.07 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 147 | |
1973 March 3 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.19 Fields mission | India | CNES, ISRO | 125 | |
1973 April 11 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.20 Fields mission | India | ISRO | 151 | |
1973 July 4 | Thumba | Centaure 2A | ISRO 5.21 Fields mission | India | ISRO | 150 | |
1967 April 19 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C24/1 test | Europe | ESRO | 123 |
1967 July 31 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C20 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 127 |
1967 July 31 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C32 / 1 Meteorite mission | Europe | ESRO | 130 |
1967 November 24 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C13 / P Ionosphere mission | Europe | ESRO | 160 |
1968 February 1 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C36 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 150 |
1968 February 4 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C36 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 146 |
1968 March 6 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C14 / P Ionosphere mission | Europe | ESRO | 155 |
1968 May 20 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C42 / 1 Meteorites mission | Europe | ESRO | 135 |
1968 June 7 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C42 / 2 Meteorites mission | Europe | ESRO | 138 |
1968 June 8 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C32 / 2 Meteorites mission | Europe | ESRO | 135 |
1968 July 30 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C20 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 135 |
1968 October 8 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C35 / 1 X-ray astronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 140 |
1968 October 15 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C45 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 160 |
1968 November 1 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C45 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 167 |
1969 February 25 | Andoya | - | Centaure 2B | ESRO C49 / 1 (R3) Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 136 |
1969 February 25 | Andoya | - | Centaure 2B | ESRO C49 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 128 |
1969 March 15 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C52 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 136 |
1969 April 14 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C39 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 5.00 |
1969 April 15 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C39 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 134 |
1969 June 5 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C35 / 2 X-ray astronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 130 |
1969 August 11 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C51 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 112 |
1969 August 14 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C58 / 1 Meteorites mission | Europe | ESRO | 112 |
1969 October 10 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C52 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 135 |
1969 November 27 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C62 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 160 |
1969 November 27 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C62 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 164 |
1970 February 4 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C57 / 1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 172 |
1970 February 23 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C37 / 1 MPE Ba Ionosphere / barium release mission | Europe | ESRO | 210 |
1970 April 3 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C57 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 173 |
1970 June 7 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C48 / 1 Solar ultraviolet mission | Europe | ESRO | 162 |
1970 August 9 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C58 / 2 Ionosphere / meteorites mission | Europe | ESRO | 114 |
1970 August 10 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C51 / 2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 154 |
1970 August 19 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C48 / 2 Solar ultraviolet mission | Europe | ESRO | 163 |
1971 January 17 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C37 / 2 MPE Ba Ionosphere / barium release mission | Europe | ESRO | 215 |
1971 January 25 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C60 / 1 Chemical release / particles mission | Europe | ESRO | 175 |
1971 January 26 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C60 / 2 Chemical release / particles mission | Europe | ESRO | 167 |
1971 January 27 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C78 / 1 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 140 |
1971 November 22 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2B | ESRO C78 / 2 Aurora mission | Europe | ESRO | 138 |
1975 February 9 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.23 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 150 |
1975 February 19 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.25 CO.04 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 160 |
1975 February 19 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.24 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 164 |
1975 April 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.26 CO.22 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 157 |
1975 April 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.27 CO.21 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 156 |
1976 February 29 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.29 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 56 |
1976 March 24 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.30 Ionosphere / fields mission | India | ISRO | 142 |
1976 March 26 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.31 Ionosphere / fields mission | India | ISRO | 139 |
1976 April 18 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.32 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 152 |
1976 July 27 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.33 test | India | ISRO | 97 |
1976 October 8 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.34 Plasma mission | India | ISRO | 120 |
1976 October 14 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.35 Plasma mission | India | ISRO | 0 |
1976 October 27 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.36 C-300 X-ray astronomy mission | India | ISRO | 148 |
1976 November 18 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.37 Ionosphere mission | India | ISRO | 128 |
1977 June 4 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO CO.40 Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 150 |
1978 February 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO CO.47 Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 150 |
1978 October 31 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO 5.49 | India | ISRO | 150 |
1978 December 20 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO C.51 Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 160 |
1978 December 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | ISRO CO.52 Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 135 |
1979 February 21 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | - | India | ISRO | 72 |
1979 November 15 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | AST 2 Technology test | India | ISRO | 148 |
1980 February 16 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | Eclipse D1 Eclipse ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 140 |
1980 February 16 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | Eclipse D2 Eclipse ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 140 |
1980 February 16 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | Eclipse Ba / Li Eclipse aeronomy mission | France | ISRO | 140 |
1980 February 17 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | NO Photometer Aeronomy mission | India | ISRO | 150 |
1980 February 17 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | Eclipse D3 Eclipse ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 140 |
1980 February 18 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | O3 Photometer Aeronomy mission | France | ISRO | 100 |
1981 February 12 | Thumba | - | Centaure 2B | Langmuir / E Field Ionosphere mission | France | ISRO | 158 |
1971 July 31 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | ESRO C59/1 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 120 |
1971 August 1 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | ESRO C59/2 Aeronomy mission | Europe | ESRO | 119 |
1972 January 21 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | ESRO C76/1 Particles/Auroral mission | Europe | ESRO | 130 |
1972 January 22 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | ESRO C76/2 Particles/Auroral mission | Europe | ESRO | 131 |
1974 February 20 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | SSC C111 / 1 Aurora mission | Sweden | SSC | 155 |
1974 February 20 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | SSC C111 / 2 Aurora mission | Sweden | SSC | 152 |
1974 September 12 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 2C | NO-II-1 Aeronomy mission | Belgium | CNES | 140 |
1974 September 12 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 2C | NO-II-2 Aeronomy mission | Belgium | CNES | 140 |
1974 September 13 | Kourou | Kourou ALFS | Centaure 2C | NO-II-3 Aeronomy mission | Belgium | CNES | 140 |
1975 March 7 | Kiruna | Kiruna C | Centaure 2C | SSC S13 Aeronomy mission | Sweden | SSC | 109 |
A sounding rocket or rocketsonde, sometimes called a research rocket or a suborbital rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The rockets are used to launch instruments from 48 to 145 km above the surface of the Earth, the altitude generally between weather balloons and satellites; the maximum altitude for balloons is about 40 km and the minimum for satellites is approximately 121 km. Certain sounding rockets have an apogee between 1,000 and 1,500 km, such as the Black Brant X and XII, which is the maximum apogee of their class. For certain purposes Sounding Rockets may be flown to altitudes as high as 3,000 kilometers to allow observing times of around 40 minutes to provide geophysical observations of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere and mesosphere. Sounding rockets have been used for the examination of atmospheric nuclear tests by revealing the passage of the shock wave through the atmosphere. In more recent times Sounding Rockets have been used for other nuclear weapons research. Sounding rockets often use military surplus rocket motors. NASA routinely flies the Terrier Mk 70 boosted Improved Orion, lifting 270–450-kg (600–1,000-pound) payloads into the exoatmospheric region between 97 and 201 km.
The Black Brant is a family of Canadian-designed sounding rockets originally built by Bristol Aerospace, since absorbed by Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over 800 Black Brants of various versions have been launched since they were first produced in 1961, and the type remains one of the most popular sounding rockets. They have been repeatedly used by the Canadian Space Agency and NASA.
Skua is the designation of a British sounding rocket which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in four versions over 300 times. The Skua was developed by Bristol Aerojet and RPE Wescott.
Bélier is the designation of a French sounding rocket family. Three versions of the Bélier were launched between 1961 and 1970 at the CIEES launch facility at Hammaguir, the Salto di Quirra and Ile du Levant missile ranges, and Kourou Space Center.
The Éridan is a two-stage French sounding rocket, which results from the use of the Stromboli engine for the first and second stages.
The Dragon is a two-stage French solid propellant sounding rocket used for high altitude research between 1962 and 1973. It belonged thereby to a family of solid-propellant rockets derived from the Bélier, including the Centaure, the Dauphin and the Éridan.
The Dauphin is a French sounding rocket, flown six times between 1967 and 1979. It consists of a modification of the first stage of the Dragon with a larger payload nosecone.
Salto di Quirra is a restricted weapons testing range and rocket launch site near Perdasdefogu on the island of Sardinia. It is the largest military range in Italy, composed of 12,000 hectares of land owned by the Italian Ministry of Defence and one of the largest in operation within the European Union. Birth defects and cancer in the area have been blamed on weaponry used at the site.
Astrobee is the designation of series of American sounding rockets with one to three stages.
DGA Essais de missiles is a launch site for the test of military rockets and for launching sounding rockets in France. "DGA Essais de missiles" is situated between Biscarrosse and the Atlantic Ocean. "DGA Essais de missiles" went in service in 1967 as replacement for the former launch sites at CIEES, Hammaguir.
Lambda is the name of a series of Japanese carrier rockets. It consisted of the types Lambda 2, LSC-3, Lambda 3, Lambda 3H, Lambda 4S, Lambda 4SC, and Lambda 4T developed jointly by Institute of Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the University of Tokyo, and Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966.
The Minotaur is a family of United States solid-fuel launch vehicles repurposed from retired Minuteman and Peacekeeper model intercontinental ballistic missiles. Built by Northrop Grumman under the Space Force's Rocket Systems Launch Program, these vehicles are used for various space and test launch missions.
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) is an Indian rocket launching site established on 21 November 1963. Operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it is located in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, which is near the southwestern tip of mainland India, very close to Earth's magnetic equator. It is currently used by ISRO for launching sounding rockets.
The Saturn C-3 was the third rocket in the Saturn C series studied from 1959 to 1962. The design was for a three-stage launch vehicle that could launch 45,000 kilograms (99,000 lb) to low Earth orbit and send 18,000 kilograms (40,000 lb) to the Moon via trans-lunar injection.
The Thor-Burner was an American expendable launch system, a member of the Thor rocket family. It consisted of a Thor missile, with one or two Burner upper stages. It was used between 1965 and 1976 to orbit a number of satellites, most commonly Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) weather satellites. Twenty-four were launched, of which two failed. It weighed 51,810 kg and was 24 metres tall.
Rohini is a series of sounding rockets developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for meteorological and atmospheric study. These sounding rockets are capable of carrying payloads of 2 to 200 kilograms between altitudes of 100 to 500 kilometres. The ISRO currently uses RH-200, RH-300,Mk-II, RH-560 Mk-II and RH-560 Mk-III rockets, which are launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The Star is a family of US solid-propellant rocket motors originally developed by Thiokol and used by many space propulsion and launch vehicle stages. They are used almost exclusively as an upper stage, often as an apogee kick motor. The number designations refer to the approximate diameter of the fuel casing in inches.
A small-lift launch vehicle is a rocket orbital launch vehicle that is capable of lifting 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) or less or under 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb) of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO). The next larger category consists of medium-lift launch vehicles.
The Centre Interarmées d'Essais d'Engins Spéciaux was France's first space launch and ballistic missile testing facility. Outside France, the facility is often referred to by the name of the nearest town, Hammaguir. It was established on 24 April 1947, by ministerial decree as the Special Weapons Test Center for use by the French Army. In 1948, it was turned over to the French Air Force, who renamed it CIEES. Its remote location in the middle of the Saharan Desert and its relative closeness to the Equator made it an attractive launch site for missiles and orbital rockets.
CERESIle du Levant was a French suborbital rocket launch site, located at Ile du Levant, and active between 1956 and 1968. CERES played a pivotal role in testing a wide array of tactical missiles used in France, as well as conducting tests for sounding rockets on behalf of CNES and ESRO. Additionally, the center was involved in experiments with ONERA and SEREB experimental vehicles, solidifying its significance in the realm of missile research and testing.