Astris Satellite Launcher

This German rocket was part of Europa 2, the first all-European project to launch satellites into orbit. The British Blue Streak rocket provided the initial burst of propulsion. A French made rocket powered the second stage of the satellite launch. Once out of the Earth’s atmosphere, the Astris thrust the satellite into the correct position in orbit. After several failed launches and escalating costs, the project was abandoned in 1973. The European Launcher Development Organisation, established to run the programme was a precursor to the European Space Agency.