Two rockets with experiments in weitlessness
Launched Apogee Payload weight Microgravity Texus 46 12:15 (LT) November 22 252 km 392,9 kg 6,4 min Texus 47 10:00 (LT) November 29 263,6 km 373,5 kg > 6 min The TEXUS project is a sounding rocket program with the primary aim to investigate the properties and behaviour of materials, chemicals and biological substances in a microgravity environment. The program started in 1977 and is a part of the European programme for Life and Physical Sciences and applications using the International Space Station (ELIPS) as well as of the German programme Forschung unter Weltraumbedingungen.
"Both launches went very smooth and all systems functioned as planned", said Otfried Joop, the Texus project manager at DLR. "The payloads were back at Esrange very quickly after the flights and the de-integration work of the experiments shows excellent conditions of the experiment modules. According to preliminary analysis, the scientific results are very good". The Texus program is carried out jointly by the German Space Agency (DLR), the European Space Agency (ESA), EADS Astrium and the SSC. The experiments for flight 46 and 47 were financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and DLR.
Esrange Space Center – very experienced in suborbital flights Esrange Space Center is a perfect place to launch experiments on suborbital flights. A unique land impact area of 5200 square kilometers offers an economical advantage for recovery and re-flight of experiments on board sounding rockets. The very first rocket was launched in 1966 and more than 500 rockets with various scientific goals have set off since then. EuroLaunch3), a cooperation between DLR and SSC, performs the launches together and very often also design the rocket systems. The experiments on board are usually designed and built by EADS Astrium and SSC. "Having a launch facility for suborbital flights in Europe is extremely important for European scientists in need of launch services", says Antonio Verga, ESAs sounding rocket project manager. "The campaigns are carried out in a cost effective and professional way and the facilities are first-rate. In addition the microgravity quality is excellent and allows the accommodation of challenging experiments". 1) Read more about the science on Texus 46 2) Read more about the science on Texus 47 3) Read more about EuroLaunch Read the ESA press release for Texus 46 For further information please contact Lennart Poromaa, General Manager Science Services Division Swedish Space Corporation Tel: +46 (0)980 720 59 or +46 70 564 54 77 E-mail: lennart.poromaa@esrange.ssc.se Otfried Joop, Texus project manager at DLR Tel: +49(0)228 447 204 E-mail: otfried.joop@dlr.de Antonio Verga, ESAs sounding rocket project manager E-mail: Antonio.verga@esa.int