Maxus (rocket)

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. It is launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden and provides access to microgravity for up to 14 minutes.

Technical characteristics

• 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 sec
• Microgravity: up to 14 minutes
• Apogee: > 700 km
• Thrust(max. in vacuum): 500 kN

Missions

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

See also

• Texus
• Maser
• Rexus
• Esrange

References

• "MAXUS: Microgravity Rocket Programme". Swedish Space Corporation. http://www.ssc.se/filearchive/7/7154/maxus150dpi.pdf. Retrieved 2009-02-17. 

External links

• http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/maxus.htm