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&sq=&lang=&file=File:Euro_Space_Center_in_Belgium.JPG) Europa II rocket at Euro Space Center | |
| Function | Orbital carrier rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ELDO |
| Size | |
| Height | 33 m (108 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Mass | 105,000 kg (231,000 lb) |
| Stages | 3–4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to geostationary transfer orbit | |
| Mass | Europa I: 200 kg (440 lb) Europa II: 360 kg (790 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Woomera, LA-6 Guiana, BEC |
| Total launches |
|
| Success(es) | 4 (all Blue Streak) |
| Failure(s) |
|
| First flight | Blue Streak: 4 June 1964 Coralie: 4 August 1967 Europa I: 29 November 1968 Europa II: 5 November 1971 |
| Last flight | Blue Streak: 14 November 1966 Coralie: 4 December 1967 Europa I: 12 November 1970 Europa II: 5 November 1971 |
| First stage – Blue Streak | |
| Powered by | 2 × Rolls-Royce RZ.2 |
| Maximum thrust | 1,673 kN (376,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 282 s (2.77 km/s) |
| Burn time | 156 seconds |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
| Second stage – Coralie | |
| Powered by | 4 × LRBA Vexin-A |
| Maximum thrust | 270 kN (61,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 277 s (2.72 km/s) |
| Burn time | 96 seconds |
| Propellant | UDMH / N2O4 |
| Third stage – Astris | |
| Powered by | 1 × Astris |
| Maximum thrust | 23.3 kN (5,200 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 310 s (3.0 km/s) |
| Burn time | 330 seconds |
| Propellant | Aerozine 50 / N2O4 |
| Fourth stage (Europa II) – P068 | |
The Europa rocket was an early expendable launch system of the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO), which was the precursor to the European Space Agency (ESA). It was developed with the aim to delivering space access technology, and more specifically to facilitate the deployment of European-wide telecommunication and meteorological satellites into orbit.
The program ultimately traces its history to the British Blue Streak missile, which was cancelled in 1960. Blue Streak was then used as the basis of the Black Prince expendable launch system and several other concepts. Looking for partners to share development costs, ELDO was formed and began development of the Europa using the Blue Streak first stage along with the French-built Coralie second stage and German Astris upper stage.[1]
The programme proceeded to perform multiple test launches but these frequently resulted in partial failures. In addition, Britain decided to pull out of the ELDO organisation, and thus Europa, to focus on the rival all-British Black Arrow launcher instead. Confidence in the programme had diminished due to the poor reliability figures, and this led to its termination.
Although the UK left the program, the other ELDO partners were still interested in a launcher. They re-formed as the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1974 and proceeded to develop the Ariane family of launchers, which would prove to be a commercial success with hundreds of launches performed.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Europa". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 5 March 2002.