Rexus and Bexus

Rexus and Bexus is a European programme for student experiments on rockets and balloons. The programme utilises sounding rockets and balloons launched from Esrange in northern Sweden.

Responsible organisations

The current realisation of the programme was initiated by a bilateral agency agreement signed in 2007 between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB). The Swedish half of the payload has been made available to students from other European countries through collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The technical implementation of the programme is carried out by EuroLaunch, a collaboration between DLR and the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).

Rexus

Rexus rockets are launched from Esrange on an annual basis (nominally 2 rockets each spring), with full recovery and return of the experiment hardware to the students.

• Type: Spin-stabilized rocket, powered by an Improved Orion motor
• Mass: 515 kg (at launch)
• Size: 5.6 m long, body diameter 35.6 cm
• Fuel: 290 kg of solid propellant
• Peak altitude: 80-100 km
• Payload: Student experiemnts of max 40 kg, system payload 60 kg
• Recovery: Helicopter

Rexus Missions

Bexus

Bexus balloons are launched from Esrange on an annual basis (nominally 2 balloons each autumn).

• Balloon: 10 000 - 12 000 m³ Zodiac 12 SF plastic balloon with helium gas
• Length of balloon train: 65-100 m from top of balloon to gondola
• Experiment mass: 40-100 kg
• Flight duration: 2–5 hours
• Peak altitude: 20–35 km
• Recovery: Helicopter

Bexus Missions

See also

• Esrange
• DLR
• SNSB
• ESA
• Texus
• Maser
• Maxus

References

• Official web site of the Rexus and Bexus Programme
• The Swedish Space Corporation
• Campaign reports as shown in the last column of the tables above.