Gradicom
GRADICOM (GRAndes DImensiones COMpuestos) are a series of Argentine rockets with, according to CITEDEF, the ultimate goal of developing a vector that can be used for military purposes as a missile (with a guidance and control system) or as a sounding rocket (in free trajectory) for civilian purposes.[1][2][3][4][5]
GRADICOM I
[edit]The GRADICOM I (PCX-900) was launched on December 17, 2009, from Serrezuela, Córdoba province, in order to certify the GRADICOM engine in flight.[6][5][2]
It was developed by the Center for Scientific and Technological Research for Defense (CITEDEF), under the direction of Vice Commodore Carlos Vásquez.[6]
The engine used solid fuel (HTPB, ammonium perchlorate, aluminum and other compounds), and had a diameter of 32 cm and a length of 2.5 m.[6][5] The rocket had a total mass of 500 kg and a length of 4.45 m.[6]
GRADICOM II
[edit]GRADICOM II (PCX2) was launched on July 11, 2011, from CELPA (El Chamical), Argentine province of La Rioja.[7][3][4][8]
Developed by CITEDEF, GRADICOM II was a two-stage vector based on the development of the GRADICOM I.[4][9] The project involved 70 experts for a year and had a cost of 4 million pesos. The rocket weighed 933 kg and measured 7.7 meters.[4]
GRADICOM III
[edit]GRADICOM III was planned to be launched in 2015.[10][7][1][11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b InfoDefensa, Revista Defensa. "Eduardo Fabre, presidente del CITEDEF: Estamos desarrollando el Gradicom III, un cohete más potente". Infodefensa - Noticias de defensa, industria, seguridad, armamento, ejércitos y tecnología de la defensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b "Gradicom-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b "Gradicom-2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b c d "Gradicom 2". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b c "Gradicom 1". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b c d ":: Ministerio de Defensa - República Argentina ::". 2011-07-18. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ a b MAZ. "Gradicom II y III - Machtres Aeronautica y Espacio". www.machtres.com (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ Defensa.com (2021-07-12). "Diez años desde el lanzamiento del cohete Gradicom II - Noticias Defensa defensa.com Edición América Latina". Defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ MAZ. "Validation of rocket motor GRADICOM PCX - Machtres Fighters". www.machtres.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ Ecosalta (2012-08-10). "CAMPO NACIONAL Y POPULAR: ARGENTINA: EL COHETE GRADICOM III SERÍA LANZADO A FIN DE AÑO". CAMPO NACIONAL Y POPULAR. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ STORACCIO; DIEGO; BRITO; MARCOS (2016). Nota Técnica: Estudio Complementario de Seguridad de Vuelo para el Lanzamiento del Cohete Gradicom III desde CELPA I - Córdoba.