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    Launch Vehicle

    The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was launched by a U.S.Titan IV-B launch vehicle. At the time of launch (1997) the rocket was the largest and most powerful expendable launch vehicle used by NASA. The configuration used for the launch was a two-stage, liquid propellant booster rocket, two strap-on solid rocket motors, a Centaur upper stage and payload fairing.

    Rocket Parameters

    Parameter Value
    Total Launch Mass 941 658 kg
    Total Height 56 m
    Thrust - Solid Rocket Motors 15.2 million N
    Thrust - First Stage 2.4 million N
    Thrust - Second Stage 467 000 N

    Centaur Upper Stage

    Diameter 4.3 m
    Height 8.8 m
    Thrust 147 000 N


    Last Update: 01 Jun 2004

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