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| Research under weightlessness:
Successful Second Sounding Rocket Mission: TEXUS-47Kiruna, Northern Sweden. On Sunday, November 29nd, 2009 the unmanned sounding rocket TEXUS-47 was successfully launched from the Esrange launch site at 10.00 local time (9 UTC). Various experiments under ESA and/or DLR contract were performed on board the 12.4 meter and 2,634 kg rocket (payload mass: 375,9 kg). Kayser-Threde as sub-contractor to EADS-Astrium was (as with the prior mission, TEXUS-46), together with DLR Moraba, responsible for the Service Module with telemetry, telecommand, TV image transmission, payload motion control, micro-g measurement and the payload salvaging system. In addition, Kayser-Threde provided on-the-spot campaign support and was in charge of payload integration. Flight Data: The parabolic flight brought the sounding rocket to an altitude of 264 km. Weightlessness prevailed on board for 391 seconds. The payload`s whole flight phase could be tracked by a GPS receiver relating to the service system. TEXUS-46 returned to earth on a parachute and was quickly located with the aid of GPS and ground infrastructure and then salvaged by helicopter. First evaluations of the systems and the experiment data confirmed complete mission success.
Sounding Rocket Programs: Within the frame of the scientific program TEXUS [German acronym meaning technological experiments under weightlessness (µg)], scientists conduct biological, physical and material science experiments under µg conditions. The program was funded since 1976 by the BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) until, several years ago, the BMWI (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) or, rather, the Space Agency of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) took over. The Swedish Space Corporation is the launch site operator at Esrange. Sounding Rockets like TEXUS (with approximately 6 minutes µg) and MAXUS (12 minutes µg) enable research under weightlessness at comparatively favorable conditions. Since double campaigns add to cost-effectiveness, the launch of TEXUS-47 is under preparation and lift-off planned for November 25th.
About Kayser-Threde. Founded in 1967, Kayser-Threde is a leading systems house providing high-technology solutions for the industrial, aerospace and scientific sectors. These include applications and solutions in manned and unmanned space missions, optics, and process control. Kayser-Threde is well respected for working closely together with its customers from a project`s start through to completion, including all aspects from studies, analyses, systems design, special developments, production, testing, implementation, operation and support. Born out of the rigorous requirements demanded in the aerospace business, Kayser-Threde has developed outstanding quality standards reflected in the reliability of its systems, solutions and processes. Kayer-Threde is part of the OHB Technology Group. Further information on Kayser-Threde and the Kayser-Threde Group is available at www.kayser-threde.com.
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2009-11-30
Picture: TEXUS-46 Launch (DLR)
For further information:
Günter Fricke
Tel. +49(89)72 495-348
Fax +49(89)72 495-483
info@kayser-threde.com
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