Zenit-C

Zenit is the name given to a technology developed by Oerlikon Contraves in Switzerland sounding rocket.

The sounding rocket Zenit was a single-stage missile with a length of 5.6 meters, a diameter of 0.42 meters and a launch weight of 610 kilograms. It was powered by a solid engine, which in the initial phase gave a thrust of 45 kN and the other flight phase of 22 kN (kilo Newton ) and could carry a payload of 25 kg in 210 km altitude or a payload of 130 kg to a height of 115 kilometers convey.

In its maiden flight on 27 October 1967 by Salto di Quirra the zenith reached an altitude of 145 kilometers. The zenith was later started only twice and that on 30 July 1971 by Salto di Quirra with a British rocket of the type " Cuckoo" as a starting level, and on 13 December 1973 by Andøya also a Cuckoo starting stage. The missile RSE Kriens paved the way for the development of the zenith.

A sounding rocket of the type Zenit is issued before the Hermann Oberth Space Museum in Feucht, near Nuremberg.

• Missile type