Éridan (rocket)
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| Country of origin | France |
|---|---|
| First flight | 26 September 1968 |
| Last flight | 14 November 1979 |
| Application | high altitude research |
| sounding rocket | |
The Éridan is a two-stage French sounding rocket, which results from the use of the Stromboli engine (also used on the Dragon and Dauphin) for the first and second stages.[1][2]
It belonged to a family of solid-propellant rockets that also encompasses the Belier, the Centaure, the Dragon, and the Dauphin.[3][4] As the most powerful version of this series it could lift payloads from 120 kilograms (260 lb) to 250 kilograms (550 lb) up to altitudes of 220 kilometres (720,000 ft) to a maximum of 425 kilometres (1,394,000 ft).[5]
Its ascent time is between 230 and 350 seconds.[6] Total thrust was 90.00 kN (20,232 lbf) with a gross mass of 2,006 kilograms (4,422 lb) to 2,316 kilograms (5,106 lb) depending in payload. The rocket had a height of 9.92 metres (32.5 ft), a diameter of 0.56 metres (1.8 ft) and a span of 1.773 metres (5.82 ft).[2][5]
An improved version called Éridan II was planned in 1971 but it never materialized due to the project being cancelled in 1973.[1]