Lambda 4S

Lambda 4S

L-4S-5
Function Experimental carrier rocket
Manufacturer ISAS
Nissan
Country of origin Japan
Size
Height 16.5 metres (54 ft)
Diameter 0.74 metres (2 ft 5 in)
Mass 9,400 kilograms (20,700 lb)
Stages 4
Capacity
Payload to LEO 26 kilograms (57 lb)
Associated rockets
Family Lambda
Derivatives Lambda 4SC
Launch history
Status Retired
Launch sites Kagoshima Pad L
Total launches 5
Successes 1
Failures 4
First flight 26 September 1966
Last flight 11 February 1970
Notable payloads Ōsumi

The Lambda 4S or L-4S was an experimental Japanese expendable carrier rocket. It was produced by Nissan and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and launched five times between 1966 and 1970 with Ōsumi technology demonstration satellites. The first four launches failed, however the fifth, launched on 11 February 1970, successfully placed Ōsumi-5, the first Japanese satellite, into orbit.[1][2]

The Lambda 4S consisted of four stages, with two booster rockets augmenting the first stage. SB-310 rockets were used as boosters, with an L753 first stage. The second stage was a reduced length derivative of the L753, whilst an L500 was used as the third stage.[3] The fourth stage was an L480S. All of the stages burned solid fuel.[2]

The Lambda 4S could place 26 kilograms (57 lb) of payload into low Earth orbit. It was launched from the Kagoshima Space Centre. Following its retirement in 1970, a sounding rocket derived from it, the Lambda 4SC, flew three times. The Mu replaced Lambda for orbital launches.

See also

References

  1. McDowell, Jonathan. "Lambda". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  2. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Lambda". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  3. "Comparison of Orbital Vehicles". Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
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