Tacite (rocket)

The inaugural member of ONERA sounding rockets fleet, the Tacite (Tentative d'Analyse du Contraste Infrarouge Terre-Espace, for Attempt to Analyze the Earth-Space Infrared Contrast), was a single-stage vehicle, used between 1965 and 1968.[1][2][3][4]

Description

Designed and developed by the Office national d'études et de recherches aérospatiales (ONERA), it was a single-stage vehicle equipped with a SEPR 739-2' Stromboli engine fueled by Plastoline' propellant, offering a propulsion duration of 20 seconds.[1][3][4] The rocket incorporates small nitrogen ejection nozzles to induce rotation and employs aerodynamic stabilization by a cruciform tailfin.[1][3][2]

With a total mass of 1738 kg (excluding the useful tip), Tacite reached a height of nearly 8 meters. It had the capability to propel a 285 kg payload to an altitude of 160 km.[1][3]

Launches
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Operational between 1965 and 1968, this rocket underwent four launches, experiencing one failure.[1][3][2]

Date Launch Site Mission Description Agency Apogee (km)
1965 June 15 Biscarosse Infrared Horizon Study Aeronomy ONERA 182
1967 Nov 23 Ile du Levant FU-169 X-ray astronomy CNES Failure
1968 May 15 Ile du Levant Earth Infrared Aeronomy CNES 175
1968 Oct 15 Ile du Levant Sun pointing test / Solar observations CNES 140

See also

References
  1. Serra, Jean-Jacques (2013-01-15). "Fusées de l'ONERA". Les fusées en Europe. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  2. "La fusée Tacite". Les fusées et les spationautes européens. 1999. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  3. Wade, Mark (2019). "Tacite". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  4. Krebs, Gunter D. (2023). "SEPR-739". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
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