Rigel was an Argentine two-stage sounding rocket used between 1967 and 1974,[1][2][3] featuring a Canopus 1 first stage and an Orion-2 second stage.[4] Designed for atmospheric and ionospheric research, it had a mass of 300 kg, a length of 6.3 meters, a diameter of 0.228 metres, and could reach altitudes up to 310 km.[2]
Seven launches were conducted, including experiments for atmospheric studies and barium releases to study ionospheric phenomena.[4] Launches took place at CELPA and included both test and scientific missions.[4]
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Rigel sounding rocket -
Rigel R-09 sounding rocket -
Rigel rocket launch, December 16, 1967 -
Rigel sounding rocket
Launches
editRigel was launched from CELPA between 1967 and 1974. The following table was compiled from the available sources and is incomplete:[3][4]
| Date | Mission Type | Apogee |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 December 16 | Test flight | |
| 1969 September 12 | Test flight | 250 km (150 mi) |
| 1969 December 22 | Test flight | 250 km (150 mi) |
| 1972 November 2 | MPE Barium release, EXP 63 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | 240 km (140 mi) |
| 1972 November 4 | MPE Barium release, EXP 64 Aeronomy / ionosphere mission | 252 km (156 mi) |
| 1972 November 11 | MPE Barium release, EXP 65 Ionosphere mission | 260 km (160 mi) |
| 1973 November 18 | Ionosphere mission, second stage test | 250 km (150 mi) |
| 1973 November 19 | Ionosphere mission | 260 km (160 mi) |
| 1974 July 4 | Operativo Astro X | |
| 1974 July 18 | Operativo Astro X |
References
edit- ^ Krebs, Gunter D. (2024). "Rigel". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ a b "Grupo Artax de Modelismo Espacial, Cohetes Argentinos". 2008-12-10. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ a b Parczewski, Juan (2008). "Historia de la cohetería en Argentina" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- ^ a b c d Wade, Mark (2016-12-28). "Rigel". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2023-10-09.