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Maxus in Kiruna, Sweden
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.[1] It is launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden and provides access to microgravity for up to 14 minutes.[2]
Technical characteristics
- Overall length: 15.5 m
- Overall mass: 12 400 kg
- Payload mass: approx. 800 kg
- Max. velocity: 3500 m/s
- Max. acceleration: 15 g
- Propellant mass: 10 042 kg
- Motor burn time: 63 s
- Microgravity: up to 14 minutes
- Apogee: > 700 km
- Thrust(max. in vacuum): 500 kN
Missions
| Mission
|
Date
|
Launch site
|
Motor
|
Apogee
|
Payload
|
Modules
|
Comments
|
Reference Report
|
| Maxus 1
|
1991 May 8
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
154 km
|
|
|
|
|
| Maxus 1B
|
1992 Nov 8
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
717 km
|
|
|
Successful
|
|
| Maxus 2
|
1995 Nov 29
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
706 km
|
|
|
Successful
|
|
| Maxus 3
|
1998 Nov 24
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
713 km
|
798 kg
|
5/ESA
|
Successful
|
Esrange EUP105-99006
|
| Maxus 4
|
2001 Apr 29
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
704 km
|
803 kg
|
5/ESA
|
Mostly successful; parachute failed
|
Esrange EUP110-E15
|
| Maxus 5
|
2003 Apr 1
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
703 km
|
795 kg
|
5/ESA
|
Mostly successful; rough landing
|
Esrange EUP114-E114
|
| Maxus 6
|
2004 Nov 22
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
707 km
|
793 kg
|
5/ESA
|
Successful
|
Esrange EUP117-E146
|
| Maxus 7
|
2006 May 2
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
705 km
|
785 kg
|
5/ESA
|
Successful
|
Esrange EUP124-E36
|
| Maxus 8
|
2010 March 26
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
703 km
|
803 kg
|
3/Astrium ST 1/SSC
|
Successful
|
|
| Maxus 9
|
2017 April 7
|
Esrange
|
Castor 4B
|
|
849 kg
|
|
Successful
|
[3]
|
See also
References
