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Low cost orbital launch vehicle. Family: LCLV. Country: USA. Status: Retired 1981.

Low cost commercial test vehicle. First test failed and satellite launch project sank for lack of further investors and customers.

The vehicle was funded by Space Services, Inc of Houston, Texas and was built by GCH, Inc (Gary C. Hudson). The booster featured a modular design using liquid oxygen-kerosene stages 18 m long and 1.2 m in diameter, with an engine producing 27,300 kgf of thrust.

Manufacturer: Space Services. Launches: 1. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 0.00%. First Launch Date: 1981-08-05. Last Launch Date: 1981-08-05. Launch data is: complete. Liftoff Thrust: 588.000 kN (132,187 lbf). Core Diameter: 1.20 m (3.90 ft). Total Length: 18.00 m (59.00 ft).


Percheron Chronology

1981 August 5 - Matagorda Island -. FAILURE: Exploded on launch pad due to liquid oxygen tank overpressurization. Percheron Research and Development Flight Failure of a liquid oxygen valve led to the oxidiser tank over-pressurising, collapse of the liquid oxygen to kerosene tank bulkhead; intermixing of the propellants, and finally an on-pad explosion without lift-off. The vehicle was funded by Space Services, Inc of Houston, Texas and was built by GCH, Inc (Gary C. Hudson). The booster featured a modular design using liquid oxygen-kerosene stages 18 m long and 1.2 m in diameter, with an engine producing 27,300 kgf of thrust.


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