MORABA - Operational Aspects of Launching Rockets

Abstract

Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA), a division of the Space Operations and Astronaut Training Department of DLR (German Aerospace Center) provides the national and international scientific community with the opportunity to prepare and implement rocketand balloon-borne experiments. The fields of research include aeronomy, astronomy, geophysics, material science and hypersonic research and are conducted in cooperation with a variety of international partners. In addition satellite missions can be supported by mobile tracking radars for trajectory determination and TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking & Command) mobile ground stations. MORABA also offers a number of mechanical and electrical systems for use on rocket, balloon and short term satellite missions. Since 1967 more than 250 campaigns have been performed in Antarctica, Australia, Brazil, France, Greenland, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA. Depending on the scientific objectives, an appropriate launch range is selected and complemented or fully equipped with MORABA’s mobile infrastructure, such as launcher, telemetry, telecommand and tracking stations. MORABA procures the suitable converted military surplus or commercial launch vehicles, as well as all necessary mechanical and electrical subsystems to the customers. This paper gives an overview of the MORABA infrastructure for sounding rocket launching and satellite TT&C. A short survey of MORABA support of several satellite projects in the past is also provided