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Astris (rocket stage)

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Astris
Astris, the third (upper) stage of the Europa I rocket, on display in Pfaffenwaldring 31 (V 31) on the campus of University of Stuttgart in Vaihingen, Stuttgart, Germany.
ManufacturerERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH
Country of originGermany
Used onEuropa 1 third stage.
General characteristics
Height3.36 m (132 in)
Diameter2.00 m (79 in)
Gross mass3,370 kg (7,430 lb)
Propellant mass2,760 kg (6,080 lb)
Empty mass610 kg (1,340 lb)
Launch history
StatusRetired
Total launches4
Successes
(stage only)
0
Failed4
Lower stage
failed
0
First flight1969-07-31
Last flight1971-11-05
Engine details
Powered by1 Astris (rocket engine)
Maximum thrust23.3 kilonewtons (5,200 lbf)
Specific impulse310 s (3.0 km/s)
Burn time330s
PropellantAerozine 50 / N2O4

The Astris was an upper stage developed by ERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH and MBB as the third stage of the Europa 1 launch vehicle.[1][2][3] It was the German contribution to the project and only flew activated four times. The high failure rate of the three and four stage rocket meant that the project was cancelled.[4][5]

On November 29, 1968, its inaugural flight, the Astris third stage exploded.[6][7] On the second attempt in July 1969, the Astris engine failed to start.[6][7] On the third attempt on June 11, 1970, the stage performed correctly, but the fairing failed to separate.[7][6]

On November 5, 1971, the Europa II launched from CSG ELA-1, had a mishap due to structural failure of the third stage.[8][9] After this last failure the project was definitely cancelled.[8]

Details

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The stage measured 3.36 m with a diameter of 2 m, and had an empty mass of 610 kg.[4] Propellant (N2O4/Aerozine-50) mass was 2760 kg, and the single Astris engine produced 23.3 kN of thrust.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Propulsion Systems and Launch Vehicles". Deutsches Museum. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. ^ "Astris engine". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  3. ^ "Europa". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Astris". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  5. ^ Serra, Jean-Jacques. "Europa launchers". Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  6. ^ a b c "Europa-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  7. ^ a b c "Europa I". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  8. ^ a b "Europa II". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  9. ^ "Europa-2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-10-10.