Maxus (rocket)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maxus is a sounding rocket that are used in the MAXUS microgravity rocket programme, a joint venture between Swedish Space Corporation and EADS Astrium Space Transportation used by ESA. It is launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden and provides access to microgravity for up to 14 minutes.

Contents 1 Technical characteristics 2 Missions 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Technical characteristics

• Overall length: 15.5 m
• Overall mass: 12 400 kg
• Payload mass: up to 785 kg
• Max. velocity: 3500 m/s
• Max. acceleration: 15 g
• Propellant mass: 10 042 kg
• Motor burn time: 63 sec
• Microgravity: up to 14 minutes
• Apogee: > 700 km
• Thrust(max. in vacuum): 500 kN

[edit] Missions

Mission	Date
MAXUS 1	May 8, 1991
MAXUS 1B	November 8, 1992
MAXUS 2	November 29, 1995
MAXUS 3	November 24, 1998
MAXUS 4	April 9, 2001
MAXUS 5	April 1, 2003
MAXUS 6	November 22, 2004
MAXUS 7	May 2, 2006

[edit] References

• http://www.ssc.se/filearchive/7/7154/maxus150dpi.pdf

[edit] External links

• http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/maxus.htm