Azur (also called GRS-A) was West Germany's first scientific satellite. Launched on 8 November 1969 it studied the Van Allen belts, solar particles, and aurorae.[2][3]
 | |
| Operator | BMWF/DLR |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1969-097A |
| SATCAT no. | 4221 |
| Mission duration | 7 months, 20 days (achieved) 54 years, 7 months, 14 days (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | BMWF/NASA |
| Launch mass | 71 kilograms (157 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 8 November 1969, 01:52 UTC |
| Rocket | Scout B S169C |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-5 |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 29 June 1970 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Medium Earth Decayed into Low Earth |
| Periapsis altitude | 368 kilometres (229 mi) |
| Apoapsis altitude | 1,445 kilometres (898 mi) |
| Inclination | 102.70 degrees |
| Period | 102.99 minutes |
| Epoch | 6 December 2013, 12:36:47 UTC[1] |
The construction of the satellite was carried out by Ludwig Bölkow, one of the aeronautical pioneers of Germany, and with the participation of other German companies.[4]
