Maxus is a sounding rocket that are used in the MAXUS microgravity rocket programme, a joint venture between Swedish Space Corporation and EADS Astrium Space Transportation used by ESA.[1] It is launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden and provides access to microgravity for up to 14 minutes.[2]

Maxus in Kiruna, Sweden

Technical characteristics

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  • Overall length: 15.5 m
  • Overall mass: 12 400 kg
  • Payload mass: approx. 800 kg
  • Max. velocity: 3500 m/s
  • Max. acceleration: 15 g
  • Propellant mass: 10 042 kg
  • Motor burn time: 63 s
  • Microgravity: up to 14 minutes
  • Apogee: > 700 km
  • Thrust(max. in vacuum): 500 kN

Missions

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Mission Date Launch site Motor Apogee Payload Modules Comments Reference Report
Maxus 1 1991 May 8 Esrange Castor 4B 154 km
Maxus 1B 1992 Nov 8 Esrange Castor 4B 717 km Successful
Maxus 2 1995 Nov 29 Esrange Castor 4B 706 km Successful
Maxus 3 1998 Nov 24 Esrange Castor 4B 713 km 798 kg 5/ESA Successful Esrange EUP105-99006
Maxus 4 2001 Apr 29 Esrange Castor 4B 704 km 803 kg 5/ESA Mostly successful; parachute failed Esrange EUP110-E15
Maxus 5 2003 Apr 1 Esrange Castor 4B 703 km 795 kg 5/ESA Mostly successful; rough landing Esrange EUP114-E114
Maxus 6 2004 Nov 22 Esrange Castor 4B 707 km 793 kg 5/ESA Successful Esrange EUP117-E146
Maxus 7 2006 May 2 Esrange Castor 4B 705 km 785 kg 5/ESA Successful Esrange EUP124-E36
Maxus 8 2010 March 26 Esrange Castor 4B 703 km 803 kg 3/Astrium ST 1/SSC Successful
Maxus 9 2017 April 7 Esrange Castor 4B 849 kg Successful [3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Shutte, Andreas; Grothe, Dieter (2 June 2005). "Sounding Rocket Program: Minitexus, Texus, Maxus". 17th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and Related Research. 590: 481. Bibcode:2005ESASP.590..481S. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Maxus". Astronautix.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "Maxus-9". Swedish Space Corporation. January 20, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2022.