Version: INTA-255.
Vehicle consisting of 4 x Chick + 1 x Goose. All motors ignited simultaneously at lift-off, the Chicks burning for 0.2 seconds, while the Goose continued for 17 seconds.
The requirement was to boost a 15 kg payload up to 150 km. The technology acquired during the development and brief firing program led to the more ambitious INTA-300.
Launches: 3. First Launch Date: 1969-07-19. Last Launch Date: 1970-12-22. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 42.000 kN (9,441 lbf). Total Mass: 340 kg (740 lb). Core Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Total Length: 6.03 m (19.78 ft).
- Stage0: 4 x INTA-255-0. Empty Mass: 6.00 kg (13.20 lb). Motor: 1 x Chick. Thrust (vac): 20.000 kN (4,496 lbf). Burn time: 0.20 sec. Length: 0.60 m (1.96 ft). Diameter: 0.10 m (0.32 ft). Propellants: Solid.
- Stage1: 1 x INTA-255-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 95 kg (209 lb). Motor: 1 x Goose II. Thrust (vac): 22.000 kN (4,945 lbf). Burn time: 17 sec. Length: 3.40 m (11.10 ft). Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version: INTA-300. Popular Name: Flamenco.
Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Heron + 1 x Snipe
In 1968 Spain's Nactional Space Plan proclaimed the requirement for an indigenous sounding rocket that could carry a 50 kg payload to 300 km. Following initial experience with the INTA-255, British Aerojet assisted the Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial in development of this larger rocket. The Aneto first stage burned for 3 seconds, followed by the Teide second stage generating 16.3 kN over a 16 second burn time. Stabilisation was by four small spin motors at the tips of the fins. Development proceeded at a slow rate during the 1970's, culminating in a fully successful launch in 1981. But at that point funding for the project was cut off.
Funds again became available nearly a decade later. Three sets of motors remained in storage, and one set was test-fired to verify their safety. Two final launches were made with the remaining motors. These modified rockets, with heavier and wider payloads, were designated INTA-300B.
Launches: 4. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1974-10-09. Last Launch Date: 1981-02-18. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 138.000 kN (31,023 lbf). Total Mass: 503 kg (1,108 lb). Core Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Total Length: 7.27 m (23.85 ft).
- Stage1: 1 x INTA-300-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 72 kg (158 lb). Motor: 1 x Gosling 4. Thrust (vac): 137.000 kN (30,798 lbf). Burn time: 3.10 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Propellants: Solid.
- Stage2: 1 x Fulmar-2. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Empty Mass: 58 kg (127 lb). Motor: 1 x Snipe. Thrust (vac): 16.000 kN (3,596 lbf). Burn time: 16 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version: INTA-300B.
Later version for heavier payloads fired in 1993-1994.
Launches: 2. First Launch Date: 1993-10-21. Last Launch Date: 1994-04-16. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 0 N ( lbf). Total Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Total Length: 7.30 m (23.90 ft).
- Stage1: 1 x INTA-300-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 72 kg (158 lb). Motor: 1 x Gosling 4. Thrust (vac): 137.000 kN (30,798 lbf). Burn time: 3.10 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Propellants: Solid.
- Stage2: 1 x Fulmar-2. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Empty Mass: 58 kg (127 lb). Motor: 1 x Snipe. Thrust (vac): 16.000 kN (3,596 lbf). Burn time: 16 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Propellants: Solid.
INTA Chronology
1969 July 19 - El Arenosillo -. INTA-255 1 Booster test Agency: INTA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).
1969 December 20 - El Arenosillo -. INTA-255 2 Test mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 73 km (45 mi).
1970 December 22 - El Arenosillo -. INTA-255 3 Test mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi).
1974 October 9 - 04:49 GMT - El Arenosillo -. INTA-300 F-74001 Test mission Agency: FRG. Apogee: 254 km (157 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude.
1975 October 21 - 11:42 GMT - El Arenosillo -. INTA-300 F-75001 Aeronomy / test Agency: FRG. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude.
1978 June 28 - El Arenosillo -. FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1981 February 18 - El Arenosillo -. Aeronomy mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). First completely successful launch.
1993 October 21 - 01:46 GMT - El Arenosillo -. INTA-300B IAA FEIROX / FEIROH Aeronomy mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi).
1994 April 16 - 01:22 GMT - El Arenosillo -. INTA-300B IAA O2-INTA300 Aeronomy mission Agency: INTA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).
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