posted 11-14-2015 01:46 PM               

Space Cover #343: Centaure rocket launch

In April, 27 1962 was inaugurated the Centro de Experimentación y Lanzamiento de Proyectiles Autopropulsados Chamical (best known as CELPA), Experimentation Center and Launch Self-Propelled Missiles of Chamical. It was situated in Chamical in the province of La Rioja (L.R.) Argentine, and was operative until March, 20 1974. In 80’s was an Air Force Base and later in 2011 was reactivated with the launch of a Gradicom II rocket in July, 11 2011.

CELPA was operated under direction of CONAE (COmisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales), National Commission of Space Activities, Argentine Space Agency, and there were launched missiles and rockets as Canopus II, Castor A, Centaure, Judi-Dart, Oriol, Rigel and Boosted Dart. Chamical is located in the north-east of Argentina.

First rocket campaign in Chamical was held from November 15 to December 9, 1962 and the cover here displayed belongs to a Centaure rocket launched inside this first campaign in November 27, 1962 and was signed by Carlos Alberto Benavides and Enzo Mario Taietti, brigadier and commodore respectively.

This Centaure rocket launch was managed by French agency CNES in an Aeronomy mission named Operación Nube de Sodio (Sodium Cloud Operation) and its goal was reaching an altitude over 80 kilometers.