Rare Aviation Books

ELDO CECLES [A brochure relating to Europa I and II rockets launched from Woomera test range in South Australia]

European Launcher Development Organisation

Paris: European Launcher Development Organisation, 1969. Multi-lingual brochure measuring 63 x 25 mm., folded and printed on both faces. Well preserved. Scarce brochure relating to Europa II, a collaborative international rocket development project. The purpose of the Europa series was launching European satellites, and was administered by the European Launcher Development Organisation, here identified by the acronym 'ELDO'. Throughout the sixties, ELDO Europa rockets were tested from the Woomera range in South Australia.

This brochure features a large diagram of a later stage Europa rocket, with three stages contributed by the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The first stage was British (Blue Streak), second stage French (Coralie) and third stage (Astris). Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands contributed logistics, transportation, programming, telemetry and sundry ancillary services. Australia's role in the project involved the use of the Woomera range, although an equatorial test site in French Guiana was also utilised.

The rear panel of the brochure contains some interesting details relating to the project, including an evolutionary timeline of the Europa rocket from 1964 (then just the British Blue Streak stage) through to the first test of the completed three stage rocket in 30 November 1968. We learn the test was deemed successful although a propellant delivery problem during the third stage led to the premature end of the rocket in a high altitude explosion.

The role of Australia in the golden era of space science and rocketry is now largely forgotten, but the Woomera range featured in a number of European and North American rocket development projects. This brochure is evidence of one such international alliance formed during at the height of the Cold War. We have been unable to locate the brochure in any public Australian libraries or institutional collections. Item #3560

Price (AUD): $150.00