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INTA-300

Launch vehicle · Spain

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

INTA-300
INTA-300

Spanish sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Heron + 1 x Snipe

In 1968 Spain's National 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. Stabilization 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.

Subtopics

  • INTA-255 Spanish sounding rocket. 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.
  • Fulmar British sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Heron (107 kN) + 1 x Snipe (16.7 kN).
  • INTA-300B Spanish sounding rocket. Later version for heavier payloads fired in 1993-1994.

Related

Country
Spain
Launch Vehicles
INTA
Launch Sites
El Arenosillo

Chronology

15 events

1969 July 19

Launch Site: El Arenosillo. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: INTA-255.
  • Booster test - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1969 December 20

Launch Site: El Arenosillo. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: INTA-255.
  • Test mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 73 km (45 mi).

1970 December 22

Launch Site: El Arenosillo. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: INTA-255.
  • Test mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi).

1974 October 9

04:49 GMT - . Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300.
  • Test mission - . Nation: Germany. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 254 km (157 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude..

1975 October 21

11:42 GMT - . Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300.
  • Aeronomy / test - . Nation: Germany. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude..

1976 November 21

21:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar.
  • Auroral mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi).

1976 December 11

02:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar.
  • Aurora / aeronomy / ionosphere mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 214 km (132 mi).

1977 October 16

22:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar.
  • Wind / T Atmospheric mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi).

1977 November 17

21:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar.
  • Electrons / Ions Ionosphere mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 261 km (162 mi).

1977 December 5

02:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar.
  • HLC 2B Auroral mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 255 km (158 mi).

1978 June 28

Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi).

1979 March 19

00:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Andoya. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: Fulmar. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Aeronomy mission - . Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi).

1981 February 18

Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300.
  • Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). First completely successful launch..

1993 October 21

01:46 GMT - . Launch Site: El Arenosillo. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300B.
  • FEIROX / FEIROH Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi).

1994 April 16

01:22 GMT - . Launch Site: El Arenosillo. LV Family: INTA-300. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300B.
  • O2-INTA300 Aeronomy mission - . Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi).