Space and Aeronautical Research Agency
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | May 3, 1954 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Headquarters | SARA Administration Centre, Pontiac-Bernadotte, Gristol-Serkonos |
| Motto | Per aspera ad astra (Latin: Through hardships to the stars) |
| Annual budget | $1.9 billion (FY2021) |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | Office of Science and Technology |
The Space and Aeronautical Research Agency is the government department of Gristol-Serkonos responsible for the country's civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Chancellor Adrian Thorne announced the merger of the military Aeronautical Research Bureau and of the civilian Space Exploration Agency. He established SARA as a civilian agency encouraging peaceful applications in space science. The Space and Aeronautics Act of 1952 was passed, merging the two agencies and SARA became operational in May 1954. Since the merger, SARA also collaborates in space exploration efforts with several Ajaxi countries through the Joint Space Agency.
Field Offices
- SARA Administration Centre houses SARA leadership who provide overall guidance and direction to the agency. It also houses production offices for SARA TV, the agency's broadcast network.
- Griswald Space Research Centre is the largest combined organization of scientists and engineers in Gristol-Serkonos dedicated to increasing knowledge of the Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe via observations from space. GSRC is also a major laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft.
- Royal Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the research facility responsible research, development, and operation of space probes as well as testing experimental aerospace projects. It also houses several rocket testing facilities used by SARA, the private and public companies and agencies.
- Saari Flight Research Centre is SARA's office in which researchers use more than 40 wind tunnels to study improved aircraft and spacecraft safety, performance, and efficiency.
- Konondaigua Aeronautical Research Centre was founded to do wind-tunnel research on the aerodynamics of propeller-driven aircraft; however, it has expanded its role to doing research and technology in aeronautics, spaceflight, and information technology. It provides leadership in astrobiology, small satellites, robotic lunar exploration, intelligent/adaptive systems and thermal protection.
- Hitra Deep Space Communications Facility operates SARA's Deep Space Communications Network.
- Nordskaret Assembly Plant is established in 2008 in order to centralize all manufacturing of space-craft, probes, and rockets used by SARA.
Cape Castille Space Centre, SARA's main launch facility
A Diana VII active expendable launch system taking off from Cape Castille Space Centre
The Royal Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Kruiningen
An Egeria III solid-fuel rocket designed for low-cost launches of scientific satellites
Cape Castille Space Centre
| Abbreviation | CCSC |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 11, 1953 |
| Location |
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| Owner | Space and Aeronautical Research Agency |
Cape Castille Space Centre is SARA's launch complex located in RGSAFB Cape Castille in the Crown Land of Gristol with a total area of about 9.7 square kilometers. It was established in 1953 by the Aeronautical Research Bureau, a research and development division of the Royal Gristo-Serkonan Air Force. Transfer of responsibility for the portion of RGSAFB Cape Castille was transferred to the newly formed Space and Aeronautical Research Agency in 1954.
The activities that take place at CCSC include assembly, testing, launching, and tracking satellites, as well as rocket engine firing tests.
Facilities
- Vehicle Assembly Building: Operated by Morgenroete Aerospace's Defense, Space & Security division, it is used for assembling pre-manufactured space vehicle components.
- Cape Castille Launch Complex: Launch site for the Diana VII Active Expendable Launch System and the Egeria III Solid Fuel Launch System. It includes storage and supply facilities for propellants (liquid hydrogen. liquid oxygen, helium and nitrogen) and supply facilities for water and electricity.
- Range Control Center: Collects and analyzes information, issues commands, makes adjustments and monitors the pre-launch operations for rockets and satellites at Cape Castille. It is also concerned with ground safety, launching and tracking.
Launch Systems
Diana VII
Capable of providing launches for up to 19,000 kg payload for low earth orbit and 8,000 kg for geosynchronous transfer orbit, SARA utilizes the Diana VII launch system. It currently has 43 successful launches since its introduction in 2003. Designed and built by the Morgenroete Aerospace's Defence, Space, and Security division.
Variants
| Designation | Payload to GTO | Payload to LEO | Number of LREs | Addon Modules |
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| Diana VII-S/0 | 3,970 kg | 8,000 kg | First Stage: x3 Type 7 LREs Second Stage: x1 Type 5 LREs |
N/A |
| Diana VII-S/2 | 4,100 kg | 10,000 kg | First Stage: x2 Type 8 LREs Second Stage: x1 Type 5 LREs |
x2 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters |
| Diana VII-LL/2 | 6,000 kg | 15,000 kg | First Stage: x3 Type 8 LREs Second Stage: x1 Type 5 LREs |
x2 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters |
| Diana VII-LH/4 | 8,000 kg | 19,000 kg | First Stage: x3 Type 9 LREs Second Stage: x1 Type 5 LREs |
x 4 Mk-19 Solid Rocket Boosters |
Egeria III
For scientific missions like X-ray astronomy, SARA uses the Egeria III solid fuel rocket designed for low cost launches. It is capable of carrying a 1,500 kg payload to Low-earth orbit and a 700 kg payload for sun-synchronous orbit.
Yellowstone Sounding Rockets
SARA uses Yellowstone rockets designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. It is capable of lifting a 450-kg payload into the exoatmospheric region between 97 and 201 km.