Castor A
Argentine sounding rocket
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Castor A was an Argentine sounding rocket designed in 1969 by the Instituto de Investigaciones Aeronáuticas y Espaciales (IIAE).[1][2]
FunctionSounding rocket
ManufacturerInstituto de Investigaciones Aeronáuticas y Espaciales (IIAE)
Country of originArgentina
Height8 m (26 ft)
| |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Instituto de Investigaciones Aeronáuticas y Espaciales (IIAE) |
| Country of origin | Argentina |
| Size | |
| Height | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.69 m (2 ft 3 in) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch history | |
| Launch sites | CELPA Chamical, Vice Commodore Marambio Base, Chilca |
| Total launches | 7 |
| Success(es) | 6 |
| Failure | 1 |
| First flight | December 22, 1969 |
| Last flight | March 22, 1979 |
| stage – First Stage | |
| Powered by | 4 Canopus II |
| stage – Second Stage | |
| Powered by | 1 Canopus II |
The rocket featured a two-stage configuration, utilizing five Canopus II rockets (four in the first stage and one in the second).[1][2] It was capable of placing a 75 kg (165 lb) payload at a 400 km altitude.[1]
Throughout its operational lifespan, the Castor A was launched seven times.[1][3] Experiencing one failed launch, it had a success rate of approximately 83.3%.[1][3]
Launches
Castor was launched seven times:[1][3]
| Date | Mission Type | Nation | Agency | Apogee | Launch site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 22, 1969 | Test mission | Argentina | IIAE | 52 km | CELPA Chamical[1][3] |
| December 19, 1970 | Test mission | Argentina | IIAE | 45 km | CELPA Chamical[1][3] |
| November 22, 1973 | Ion beam Ionosphere mission | Germany | MPE | 406 km | CELPA Chamical[1][3] |
| September 30, 1975 | Ionosphere mission | Germany | MPE | 400 km | Vice Commodore Marambio Base, Antarctica[1][3] |
| October 3, 1975 | Ionosphere mission | Germany | MPE | 400 km | Vice Commodore Marambio Base, Antarctica[1][3] |
| March 21, 1979, 11:49 PM | Spread F Barium release mission | Germany | DFVLR | Failure | Chilca, Peru[1][3] |
| March 22, 1979, 11:59 PM | Spread F Barium release mission | Germany | DFVLR | 268 km | Chilca, Peru[1][3] |
Specifications
Images
First Castor (CRX-01) at CELPA Chamical
Castor launch preparations
