Successful flight of Maxus 6 sounding rocket

Powered by a Castor IV b motor, the Maxus 6 rocket was launched into clear blue skies shortly after sunrise. The experiments, in biology, fluid physics and material science, were monitored throughout using mission telemetry, which functioned perfectly. Video images and data received at Esrange show that the experiments went well.

The payload package was found soon after landing and recovered by helicopter. Flight samples of the materials science and the biological experiments will now be returned to the scientists for further scientific analysis at their home institutes.

Speaking from the control room at Esrange, Wolfgang Herfs, ESA's sounding rocket project manager, congratulated all involved in the Maxus 6 campaign. Maxus 7, is planned for the spring of 2006.