Tauro (rocket)

Tauro was an Argentinian sounding rocket developed in 1977. It is a two-stage solid fuel rocket (two Canopus stages), launched nine times between 1977 and 1981.

Built by Instituto de Investigaciones Aeronáuticas y Espaciales (IIAE), it was capable of sending a 100 kg payload to an altitude of 120 km. Both stages burned a polyurethane composite and had a diameter of 28 cm. Total weight of Tauro was 1200 kg with a length of 7.6 m.

The first Tauro (Tauro T-01) was launched in July 1977 from CELPA, Chamical. A second rocket (Tauro T-02) was launched on February 2, 1979.

The last flight (Tauro T-09) happened on December 10, 1981, equipped with cameras for earth surface photography from high altitudes. The photographic payload was successfully recovered.