The Castor A was an Argentine sounding rocket designed in 1969 by the Instituto de Investigaciones Aeronáuticas y Espaciales (IIAE).
The rocket featured a two-stage configuration, utilizing five Canopus II rockets (four in the first stage and one in the second). It was capable of placing a 75 kg (165 lb) payload at a 400 km altitude.
Throughout its operational lifespan, the Castor A was launched seven times. Experiencing one failed launch, it had a success rate of approximately 83.3%.
Launches Castor was launched seven times: DateMission TypeNationAgencyApogeeLaunch siteDecember 22, 1969Test missionArgentinaIIAE52 kmCELPA ChamicalDecember 19, 1970Test missionArgentinaIIAE45 kmCELPA ChamicalNovember 22, 1973Ion beam Ionosphere missionGermanyMPE406 kmCELPA ChamicalSeptember 30, 1975Ionosphere missionGermanyMPE400 kmVice Commodore Marambio Base, AntarcticaOctober 3, 1975Ionosphere missionGermanyMPE400 kmVice Commodore Marambio Base, AntarcticaMarch 21, 1979, 11:49 PMSpread F Barium release missionGermanyDFVLRFailureChilca, PeruMarch 22, 1979, 11:59 PMSpread F Barium release missionGermanyDFVLR268 kmChilca, Peru
Specifications Apogee: 400 km Total mass: 355 kg Diameter: 69 cm Length: 8 m
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