INTA-300

2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Heron + 1 x Snipe

In 1968 Spain's Nactional Space Plan proclaimed the requirement for an indigenous sounding rocket that could carry a 50 kg payload to 300 km. Following initial experience with the INTA-255, British Aerojet assisted the Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial in development of this larger rocket. The Aneto first stage burned for 3 seconds, followed by the Teide second stage generating 16.3 kN over a 16 second burn time. Stabilisation was by four small spin motors at the tips of the fins. Development proceeded at a slow rate during the 1970's, culminating in a fully successful launch in 1981. But at that point funding for the project was cut off.

Funds again became available nearly a decade later. Three sets of motors remained in storage, and one set was test-fired to verify their safety. Two final launches were made with the remaining motors. These modified rockets, with heavier and wider payloads, were designated INTA-300B.

Manufacturer: INTA. Launches: 6. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 83.33%. First Launch Date: 1974-10-09. Last Launch Date: 1994-04-16. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 138.000 kN (31,023 lbf). Total Mass: 503 kg (1,108 lb). Core Diameter: 0.26 m (0.85 ft). Total Length: 7.27 m (23.85 ft).

Initial version fired in 1974-1981.

Later version for heavier payloads fired in 1993-1994.

1974 October 9 - 04:49 GMT - Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Vehicle: INTA-300. LV Configuration: INTA-300 F-74001.

• ASTRO? Test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: FRG. Apogee: 254 km (157 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude. References: 1054.

• Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: FRG. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Failed to reach expected altitude. References: 1054.

• Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. References: 572.

• Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). First completely successful launch. References: 572.

• FEIROX/FEIROH Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 154 km (95 mi). References: 1089.

• O2-INTA300 Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 156 km (96 mi). References: 1089.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.