Astris (rocket engine)

The Astris was a liquid rocket engine burning the hypergolic propellant combination of Aerozine 50 and N₂O₄.^[2] A single engine powered Astris third stage of the failed Europa rocket.^[6][3]

Astris

The third stage rocket for the Europa II satellite launcher
Country of origin	Germany
First flight	1969-07-31
Last flight	1971-11-05
Designer	ERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH
Manufacturer	Snecma
Application	Upper stage engine
Associated LV	Europa (rocket)
Status	Retired
Liquid-fuel engine
Propellant	N2O4 / Aerozine 50
Cycle	pressure fed[1]
Configuration
Chamber	1
Performance
Thrust, vacuum	23.3 kilonewtons (5,200 lbf)
Thrust, sea-level	19.6 kilonewtons (4,400 lbf)
Specific impulse, vacuum	310 s (3.0 km/s)
Specific impulse, sea-level	260 s (2.5 km/s)
Burn time	330 seconds
Dimensions
Dry mass	68 kg (150 lb)
Used in
Astris (rocket stage)
References
References	[2][3][4][5]

On November 29, 1968, its inaugural flight, the Astris third stage exploded. On the second attempt in July 1969, the Astris engine failed to start. On the third attempt on June 11, 1970, the stage performed correctly, but the fairing failed to separate.^[3] On November 5, 1971, the Europa II launched from CSG ELA-1, had a mishap due to structural failure of the third stage. After this last failure the project was definitely cancelled.^[7]

See also

• Astris (rocket stage)
• Europa (rocket)
• Viking (rocket engine)