The inaugural member of ONERA sounding rockets fleet, the Tacite (Tentative d'Analyse du Contraste Infrarouge Terre-Espace, for Attempt to Analyze the Earth-Space Infrared Contrast), was a single-stage vehicle, used between 1965 and 1968.[1][2][3][4]
Designed and developed by the Office national d'études et de recherches aérospatiales (ONERA), it was a single-stage vehicle equipped with a SEPR 739-2' Stromboli engine fueled by Plastoline' propellant, offering a propulsion duration of 20 seconds.[1][3][4] The rocket incorporates small nitrogen ejection nozzles to induce rotation and employs aerodynamic stabilization by a cruciform tailfin.[1][3][2]
With a total mass of 1738 kg (excluding the useful tip), Tacite reached a height of nearly 8 meters. It had the capability to propel a 285 kg payload to an altitude of 160 km.[1][3]
Operational between 1965 and 1968, this rocket underwent four launches, experiencing one failure.[1][3][2]
Date | Launch Site | Mission Description | Agency | Apogee (km) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1965 June 15 | Biscarosse | Infrared Horizon Study Aeronomy | ONERA | 182 |
1967 Nov 23 | Ile du Levant | FU-169 X-ray astronomy | CNES | Failure |
1968 May 15 | Ile du Levant | Earth Infrared Aeronomy | CNES | 175 |
1968 Oct 15 | Ile du Levant | Sun pointing test / Solar observations | CNES | 140 |
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacite (rocket).
Read more |