Rubis (rocket)
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Infobox rocketThe VE 210 Rubis (French, meaning ruby) was a French two-stage rocket.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
It was part of the pierres précieuses (fr.: gemstones) program, that included five prototypes Agathe, Topaze, Emeraude, Rubis and Saphir,<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> leading up to the Diamant orbital rocket.
Its codename, VE210, indicates that it is a "Véhicule Expérimental" (Experimental Vehicle) with 2 stages, using solid propellant (code 1), and not guided (code 0).
The rocket was used to test technologies used in the Diamant, as well as to launch scientific instruments from the Paris Observatory and Max Planck Institute.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DescriptionEdit
Rubis used an NA801 Mammouth engine (similar to Agate) for its first stage and a P064 engine for its second stage.<ref name=":0" /> The Rubis has a maximum altitude of 2,000 kilometers, a takeoff thrust of 186 kN, a diameter of Template:Convert and a length of Template:Convert.
- Fusées sondes Rubis Belier Centaure Dragon Veronique Musee du Bourget P1010474.JPG
Rubis at the front left
- VE 210 Rubis Baie à équipement.jpg
Rubis equipment bay
- Rubis rocket's payload.JPG
Rubis payload
LaunchesEdit
The Rubis was launched eleven times from 10 June 1964 to 5 July 1967.<ref name=":0" /> All Rubis rockets were launched from CIEES at Hammaguir, French Algeria, with the exception of the last launch, which took place from DGA Essais de missiles, Biscarosse.<ref name=":0" />
| Number | Date | Result | Launch site | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 Jun 1964 | Success | CIEES | Research flight |
| 2 | 12 Jun 1964 | Success | CIEES | Research flight |
| 3 | 12 Oct 1964 | Stage separation failure | CIEES | Research flight |
| 4 | 18 Dec 1964 | Stage separation failure | CIEES | Research flight |
| 5 | 31 May 1965 | Success | CIEES | A-1 capsule 1 (Asterix prototype) |
| 6 | 3 Jun 1965 | Success | CIEES | A-1 capsule 2 (Asterix prototype) |
| 7 | 5 Jun 1965 | Success | CIEES | Rubis 01/D-1 |
| 8 | 30 Sep 1965 | Success | CIEES | Rubis 02 |
| 9 | 22 Apr 1966 | Success | CIEES | Rubis 03/MPE Ba-17 |
| 10 | 5 Jul 1967 | Success | DGA Essais de missiles | Rubis 04 |