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Cora was a French experimental rocket.[1] It was the largest rocket ever launched in Western Europe.[2] It was primarily used for testing the second (Coralie) and third stages (Astris) of the multinational Europa Rocket,[3][4] which was developed and produced by the European Launcher Development Organisation, the predecessor to the present day European Space Agency.
 Cora rocket diagram | |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| Height | 11.5 m |
| Diameter | 2.01 m |
| Mass | 16.5 tonnes |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| First stage – Coralie | |
| Height | 5.5 m |
| Diameter | 2.01 m |
| Gross mass | 9.85 tonnes |
| Powered by | 4 Vexin A |
| Maximum thrust | 220 kN |
| Specific impulse | 280 s |
| Propellant | UDMH / N2O4 |
| Second stage – Astris | |
| Height | 3.36 m (11.0 ft) |
| Diameter | 2 m (79 in) |
| Empty mass | 610 kg (1,340 lb) |
| Gross mass | 3,370 kg (7,430 lb) |
| Propellant mass | 2,760 kg (6,080 lb) |
| Powered by | 1 Astris |
| Maximum thrust | 23.3 kN (5,200 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 310 s |
| Burn time | 330 s |
| Propellant | Aerozine 50 / N2O4 |
For the Cora 1 only the French Coralie first stage was active. For the Cora 2 version the second German Astris stage was active. The Italian made Europa nose fairing was also tested.[3]
The entire rocket had a length of 11.5 metres, a diameter of 2.01 m and a takeoff weight of 16.5 tonnes. Total thrust was 220.00 kN, with the rocket capable of reaching an apogee of 55 km.[3]
The Coralie first stage was 5.5 metres long and had a diameter of 2 metres; when fully fuelled, it weighed 9.85 tonnes; the propellant was a mixture of nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH).[5] It was powered by a four-nozzle engine that produced 220 KN of thrust and had a specific impulse (in vacuum) of 280 seconds. A cylindrical black ring supporting four fins was attached to the rocket's base.[3]
The Astris second stage was 3.36 meters long with a diameter of 2 meters; when fully fuelled, it weighed 3.370 tonnes; the propellant was a mixture of nitrogen tetroxide and Aerozine-50. It was powered by an engine that produced 23.33 kN of thrust and had a specific impulse (in vacuum) of 310 seconds.[6]
Cora 1 stages diagram
Coralie 1st stage diagram
Six Cora launches were planned, the first four using the Cora 1 configuration and the last two using the Cora 2.[7] Only the three first launches took place, with the Cora 2 configuration never being tested:[7]
- On 27 November 1966, a first launch was conducted at the CIEES missile range and launch facility at Hammaguir, French Algeria. Guidance was lost at T+62s, with the rocket reaching an apogee of 10 km.[7] It was considered a half success.[1][3]
- On 18 December 1966, a second launch took place.[7] It reached an apogee of 55 km and was considered successful.[1][3]
- On 25 October 1967, Core was launched from Biscarrosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Reaching an apogee of 10 km if failed due to a cabling issue.[1][3][7]
The following planned flights were cancelled and replaced by tests of the Europa rocket (Europa 1 F7, Europa 1 F6/1 and Europa 1 F6/2).[7]
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