Taurus Orion
Sounding rocket. Year: 1977. Family: Honest John. Country: USA.

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Taurus + 1 x Orion. Payload 68 kg to 260 km or 227 kg to 140 km.

Manufacturer: WFF. Launches: 66. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 98.48%. First Launch Date: 1977-07-19. Last Launch Date: 2002-02-21. Launch data is: continuing. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 457.000 kN (102,737 lbf). Total Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Core Diameter: 0.58 m (1.90 ft). Total Length: 11.40 m (37.40 ft).

Taurus Orion Chronology

1977 July 19 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 12.1001WT.

  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). References: 1592.
1977 December 2 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 12.1002WT.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). References: 931.
1978 March 12 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.01UA.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). References: 931.
1978 March 30 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.02GA.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 186 km (115 mi). References: 931.
1979 February 26 - Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.04UE.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Launched from Red Lake, Chukuni Range, Ontario, Canada - Latitude: 50.88 N, Longitude:93.47 W. References: 931.
1979 February 26 - Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.03UA.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Launched from Red Lake, Chukuni Range, Ontario, Canada - Latitude: 50.88 N, Longitude:93.47 W. References: 931.
1979 November 8 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.08UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1980 July 28 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.13UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 229 km (142 mi). References: 1592.
1980 August 14 - 02:02 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.05UA.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 192 km (119 mi). References: 1592.
1980 September 15 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.06GU?.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1980 October 8 - 18:39 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.07UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1592.
1980 November 16 - 04:15 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.11UE.
  • EBC-B E11b Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 181 km (112 mi). References: 1076.
1980 November 16 - 03:49 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.10UE.
  • EBC-B E11a Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi). References: 1076.
1980 November 16 - 03:16 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion A13.073.
  • ENERGY B Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 195 km (121 mi). References: 785.
1980 November 30 - 23:44 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.09UE.
  • EBC-A2 E11a Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 171 km (106 mi). References: 1076.
1981 March 7 - 08:09 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion A13.30.
  • AURORAL E1 Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi). References: 1592.
1981 March 7 - 08:09 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion A13.20.
  • AURORAL E3 Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). References: 1592.
1981 March 7 - 08:26 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion A13.31.
  • AURORAL E2 Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 169 km (105 mi). References: 1592.
1981 April 2 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.20GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1981 April 3 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.19GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1981 August 9 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.22UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1981 August 25 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.06UL?.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1981 November 9 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.21UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1982 February 26 - Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.25UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1982 May 17 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.28UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1982 June 29 - 11:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion GL A13.277.
  • TRACER Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 147 km (91 mi). References: 1592.
1982 August 11 - 00:35 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.29UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1982 November 24 - 13:39 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.24CE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 January 12 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.30UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 January 22 - 13:02 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.23CE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 February 12 - 07:39 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.31UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1966.
1983 March 3 - 03:54 GMT - Launch Site: Punta Lobos. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.26UE.
  • Project Condor plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 March 12 - 15:35 GMT - Launch Site: Punta Lobos. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.27UE.
  • Project Condor plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 June 21 - 20:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.33UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 July 15 - 08:49 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.34GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 July 20 - 08:54 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.35GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1983 July 25 - 14:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.32GU. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 931.
1984 January 16 - 18:20 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.36UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1984 February 28 - 17:13 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.39UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1984 April 2 - 07:17 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.42UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1984 August 7 - 01:00 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.43UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1984 October 22 - 06:27 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.47UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1984 October 24 - 02:19 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.41UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 170 km (100 mi). References: 1093.
1985 February 8 - 18:14 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.48UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1985 March 5 - 20:38 GMT - Launch Site: Sonde Stromfjord. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.44UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1985 September 10 - 00:02 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.50GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1986 March 7 - 19:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.51UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1986 November 4 - 20:44 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion.
  • Aureld-VIP-HIGH Auroral mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 206 km (128 mi). References: 1080.
1986 December 12 - 20:21 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion.
  • Aureld-VIP-LOW Auroral mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). References: 1080.
1987 February 17 - 21:55 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.56UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1987 July 15 - 01:55 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.52GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1987 July 27 - 06:25 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.53GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1988 October 20 - 20:29 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.49UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1989 March 7 - 22:00 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.57UL.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1990 May 13 - 21:29 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.59GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1990 May 14 - 20:26 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.60GE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1993 October 4 - 19:35 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.062UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1994 June 27 - 22:05 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.063UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1922.
1995 June 6 - 22:00 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.064UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 931.
1998 February 25 - 07:43 GMT - Launch Site: Arecibo. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.067UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1925.
1999 January 22 - 15:31 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.068UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1925.
1999 July 5 - 04:02 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.065UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1925.
1999 July 18 - 03:41 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.066UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1925.
2002 February 21 - 10:01 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.073UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1884.
2002 February 21 - 09:59 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.070UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1884.
2002 February 21 - 09:57 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.069UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 1884.
Bibliography and Further Reading
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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