Country of origin United States Diameter 1.02m | Height 16m Mass 13.5 tons | |
Function Castor 4 sounding rocket Manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corporation | ||
The Castor-Orbus was a Castor 4 sounding rocket (research rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its flight) that was developed in 1992 by the Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) (United States). Launched three times in its five-year-long career from 1992 to 1997, the Castor-Orbus rocket launched successfully only once. It was first launched on October 16, 1992, while its final launch took place on October 4, 1997.
Contents
There were two Castor-Orbus models made, Castor-Orbus and Castor-Orbus 1.
Advanced details
Weighing 13.5 tons (13,500 kilograms), the Castor-Orbus had a lift-off thrust of approximately 430 kilonewtons (equivalent to around 96,660 lbf). The rocket had a core diameter measuring 1.02 metres (3.34 feet), with a total length of exactly 16 metres (52 ft). It had an apsis (apogee) of over 500 kilometres (310 mi). The family of the Castor-Orbus rocket was Castor 4, which was partially responsible for the Castor-Orbus naming.
Career
The Castor-Orbus rocket was launched three times over almost five years. After the launch of October 4, 1997, the Castor-Orbus was dropped from service.