Astris (rocket engine)

Astris
The third stage rocket for the Europa II satellite launcher
Country of originGermany
First flight1969-07-31
Last flight1971-11-05
DesignerERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH
ManufacturerSnecma
ApplicationUpper stage engine
Associated LVEuropa (rocket)
StatusRetired
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantN2O4 / Aerozine 50
Cyclepressure fed[1]
Configuration
Chamber1
Performance
Thrust, vacuum23.3 kilonewtons (5,200 lbf)
Thrust, sea-level19.6 kilonewtons (4,400 lbf)
Specific impulse, vacuum310 s (3.0 km/s)
Specific impulse, sea-level260 s (2.5 km/s)
Burn time330 seconds
Dimensions
Dry mass68 kg (150 lb)
Used in
Astris (rocket stage)
References
References[2][3][4][5]

The Astris was a liquid rocket engine burning the hypergolic propellant combination of Aerozine 50 and N2O4.[2] A single engine powered Astris third stage of the failed Europa rocket.[6][3]

On November 29, 1968, its inaugural flight, the Astris third stage exploded. On the second attempt in 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.[3] 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.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sutton, George Paul (November 2005). History of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines. AIAA. p. 861. ISBN 978-1563476495. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  2. ^ a b "Astris (Engine)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on June 2, 2002. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  3. ^ a b c "Europa (launch vehicle)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on March 5, 2002. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  4. ^ "Propulsion Systems and Launch Vehicles". Deutsches Museum. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  5. ^ Serra, Jean-Jacques. "Europa launchers". Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  6. ^ "Astris (Stage)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  7. ^ "Europa II(launch vehicle)". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved 2015-07-25.


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