Astris (rocket stage)

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.
Manufacturer ERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH[1]
Country of origin Germany
Used on Europa 1 third stage.
General characteristics
Height 3.36 m (132 in)[2]
Diameter 2.00 m (79 in)[2]
Gross mass 3,370 kg (7,430 lb)[2]
Propellant mass 2,760 kg (6,080 lb)[2]
Empty mass 610 kg (1,340 lb)[2]
Launch history
Status Retired
Total launches 4
Successes
(stage only)		 0
Failed 4
Lower stage
failed		 0
First flight 1969-07-31
Last flight 1971-11-05
Engine details
Engines 1 Astris (rocket engine)[3]
Thrust 23.3 kilonewtons (5,200 lbf)
Specific impulse 310 s (3.0 km/s)
Burn time 330s[4]
Fuel Aerozine 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. It was the German contribution to the project and only flew activated four times. Regrettably, the high failure rate of the three and four stage rocket meant that the project was cancelled.[2][5]

On November 29, 1968, its inaugural flight, the Astris third stage exploded. On the second attempt on July 1969, the Astris engine failed to start. On the third attempt on June 11, 1970, the stage performed correctly, but the fairing failed to separate.[4] On November 5, 1971, the Europa II launched from CSG ELA-1, had a mishap due to structural failure of the third stage. After this last failure the project was definitely cancelled.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Propulsion Systems and Launch Vehicles". Deutsches Museum. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Astris (Stage)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  3. ↑ "Astris (Engine)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  4. 1 2 "Europa (launch vehicle)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  5. ↑ Serra, Jean-Jacques. "Europa launchers". Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  6. ↑ "Europa II(launch vehicle)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
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