NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

STV-1

Launch Time
Fri Nov 29, 1968 23:12 UTC

First flight of Europa 1. The German third stage exploded less than a second after ignition. The satellite never reached orbit. First European launcher to fly.

Rocket

Europa 1
Image Credit: CECLES
CECLES
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 3,962 kN
Payload to LEO: 1,440 kg
Payload to GTO: 200 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 31.68 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.0 m

Mission Details

STV-1

STV (Satellite Test Vehicle) was a series of vehicle evaluation payloads built for the test flights of the Europa-1 rocket.

The 214 kg octagonal prism-shaped satellites were built by Fiat Aviazione for ELDO to register the launch environment of the Europa-1 rocket. Three attempts were made to put an STV satellite into low orbit.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 214.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LA-6A, RAAF Woomera Range Complex, Australia

Stats

1968

114th orbital launch attempt

Europa

1st mission
1st mission of 1968
1st failed mission