Development of the ‘Europa I’ First Stage Attitude Control System to the ‘Europa II’ Requirements

Abstract

Whilst the ‘Europa II’ launch vehicle is essentially the ‘Europa I’ vehicle with additional, solid propellant, perigee and apogee stages, certain system modifications and improvements in design have been adopted, together with the introduction of an inertial guidance system. The effects of these changes upon the design and performance of the first-stage attitude control system have been to raise problems requiring detailed re-examinations of the attitude control system. The investigations that were required are detailed together with the consequent engineering changes that were required.