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.
GRADICOM I
The GRADICOM I (PCX-900) was launched on December 17, 2009, from Serrezuela, Córdoba province, in order to certify the GRADICOM engine in flight.
It was developed by the Center for Scientific and Technological Research for Defense (CITEDEF), under the direction of Vice Commodore Carlos Vásquez.
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. The rocket had a total mass of 500 kg and a length of 4.45 m.
GRADICOM II
GRADICOM II (PCX2) was launched on July 11, 2011, from CELPA (El Chamical), Argentine province of La Rioja.
Developed by CITEDEF, GRADICOM II was a two-stage vector based on the development of the GRADICOM I. 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.
GRADICOM III
GRADICOM III was planned to be launched in 2015.
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Gradicom-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ "Gradicom-2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ "Gradicom 2". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ "Gradicom 1". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ ":: Ministerio de Defensa - República Argentina ::". 2011-07-18. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ 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.
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