Orion
Orion
Sounding rocket. Year: 1974. Country: USA.

Single stage vehicle. Payload 38 kg to 88 km or 68 kg to 71 km

Manufacturer: WFF. Launches: 63. First Launch Date: 1974-05-29. Last Launch Date: 2004-06-09. Launch data is: continuing. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 7.000 kN (1,574 lbf). Total Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Core Diameter: 0.35 m (1.14 ft). Total Length: 5.60 m (18.30 ft).

Orion Chronology

1960 July 5 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V, Nova 4L, Orion, Saturn C-3BN, Saturn C-5N, Saturn I RIFT.

  • House recommends a high priority manned expedition to the moon Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. The House Committee on Science and Astronautics declared: "A high priority program should be undertaken to place a manned expedition on the moon in this decade. A firm plan with this goal in view should be drawn up and submitted to the Congress by NASA. Such a plan, however, should be completely integrated with other goals, to minimize total costs. The modular concept deserves close study. Particular attention should be paid immediately to long lead-time phases of such a program." The Committee also recommended that development of the F-1 engine be expedited in expectation of the Nova launch vehicle, that there be more research on nuclear engines and less conventional engines before freezing the Nova concept, and that the Orion project be turned over to NASA. It was the view of the Committee that "NASA's 10-year program is a good program, as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. Furthermore the space program is not being pushed with sufficient energy."References: 16.
1974 May 29 - 19:48 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.01WT.
  • Hawk Motor test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 46 km (28 mi). References: 1592.
1974 November 8 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.02WT.
  • Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 73 km (45 mi). References: 931.
1977 July 14 - 12:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 12.27GT.
  • Parachute test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 59 km (36 mi). References: 1592.
1978 February 2 - 11:10 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR A-O-89.
  • A-OR-90 Orion 1 Range Test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 57 km (35 mi). References: 1582.
1978 September 13 - 19:36 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-91.
  • K-OR-91 Range Test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1979 November 4 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.09IU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1980 July 14 - 19:11 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.03UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi). References: 1592.
1980 October 7 - 03:36 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.10GU.
  • TY2-7688 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi). References: 1592.
1980 October 11 - 21:57 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.11GU.
  • TY2-7684 Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi). References: 1592.
1980 October 16 - 18:54 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.04UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi). References: 1592.
1980 October 18 - 02:50 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.12GU.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1592.
1981 February 27 - 18:27 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.07GU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 77 km (47 mi). References: 1592.
1981 July 23 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.14UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1981 July 23 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.08UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1981 August 24 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.16UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1981 September 24 - 13:50 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.13UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 71 km (44 mi). References: 1592.
1981 November 14 - 09:15 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-111.
  • DFVLR Strafam Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). References: 1098.
1982 August 3 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.21GU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1983 January 13 - 17:31 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.15UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1983 January 13 - 18:39 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.18UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1983 April 27 - 05:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-117.
  • DFVLR Strafam 3 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1984 January 31 - 21:05 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-129.
  • DFVLR Strafam 4 Auroral mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1984 August 16 - 20:40 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.19UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1984 August 23 - 10:05 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.22UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 January 28 - 22:10 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.23UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 February 7 - 22:01 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.24UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 February 15 - 15:15 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR N-O-135.
  • Fin test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1985 February 22 - 15:20 GMT - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR N-O-136.
  • Fin test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1985 April 2 - 07:21 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.25UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 May 14 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-140.
  • DFVLR Strafam 1/5 Auroral mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1985 September 7 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.26UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 September 10 - 00:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.28UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 September 17 - 19:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.27UU.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1985 October 16 - 10:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.31UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1986 November 20 - 10:15 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.33UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1987 February 17 - 10:43 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-143.
  • Strafam Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1987 May 6 - 05:08 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-145.
  • RASMUS Aeronomy mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1987 July 26 - 23:22 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.34UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1987 October 15 - 10:52 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.38UE.
  • MAC/Epsilon XRG Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1987 October 21 - 21:34 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.36UE.
  • MAC/Epsilon MAE F-75 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1987 November 12 - 00:21 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.37UE.
  • MAC/Epsilon MAE F-74 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 87 km (54 mi). References: 1592.
1988 December 6 - 10:02 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-163.
  • RASMUS 2 Aeronomy mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1989 January 30 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-166.
  • Strafam 2/2 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1990 January 25 - 08:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-172.
  • Strafam 2/3 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1990 March 6 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-174.
  • RASMUS 3 Aeronomy mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1990 May 13 - 21:37 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.35UE.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1991 February 3 - 11:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-185.
  • Strafam 3/2 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1991 April 9 - 03:41 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-186.
  • RASMUS 4 Aeronomy mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1992 September 21 - 18:32 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.40UP.
  • CSOAR Aeronomy/Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 54 km (33 mi). References: 931.
1993 February 27 - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-200.
  • Strafam 3/21 Aeronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1994 February 19 - 09:27 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-207.
  • RASMUS 5 Aeronomy mission? Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1994 July 16 - 00:23 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.39UE.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1994 August 22 - 19:38 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.41UP.
  • Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 931.
1998 May 6 - 17:55 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.042NP.
  • Test mission? Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1925.
1998 October 7 - 11:35 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion DLR K-O-236.
  • Maxus test mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1582.
1999 August 5 - 18:11 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.043NO.
  • Sub-SEM Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi). References: 1925.
2000 January 30 - 10:25 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.044UP.
  • Test Rocket 1 Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 79 km (49 mi). References: 1925.
2000 June 18 - 11:03 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.045NO.
  • Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1925.
2001 April 27 - 10:35 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.046UO.
  • Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1925.
2001 June 6 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.048NO.
  • Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1925.
2002 June 6 - 10:41 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.53NO.
  • Aeronomy mission? Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 1884.
2003 June 6 - 10:01 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.55NO.
  • Student rocket Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi). References: 1884.
2004 June 9 - 10:35 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion NASA 30.60NO.
  • Student rocket Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 43 km (26 mi). References: 1884.
2006 March 25 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Orion. LV Configuration: Orion s/n NASA 30.064DR.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: NASA/NAWC NAWC/Winstead. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). Target References: 2.
Bibliography and Further Reading
  • 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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