Azur (satellite)

{{Short description|West Germany's first scientific satellite}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Azur

| image = Azur.jpg

| image_caption =

| mission_type =

| operator = BMWF/DLR

| COSPAR_ID = 1969-097A

| SATCAT = 4221

| mission_duration = {{time interval|November 8, 1969, 01:52|June 29, 1970|show=ymd|sep=,}} (achieved)
{{time interval|November 8, 1969, 01:52|show=ymd|sep=,}} (in orbit)

| manufacturer = BMWF/NASA

| launch_mass = {{convert|71|kg}}

| launch_date = {{start-date|8 November 1969, 01:52|timezone=yes}} UTC

| launch_rocket = Scout B S169C

| launch_site = Vandenberg SLC-5

| last_contact = {{end-date|29 June 1970}}

| decay_date =

| orbit_epoch = 6 December 2013, 12:36:47 UTC{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=4221|title=AZUR (GRS A) Satellite details 1969-097A NORAD 4221|work=N2YO|date=6 December 2013|accessdate=6 December 2013}}

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Medium Earth
Decayed into Low Earth

| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|368|km|mi}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|1445|km|mi}}

| orbit_inclination = 102.70 degrees

| orbit_period = 102.99 minutes

}}

Azur (also called GRS-A) was West Germany's first scientific satellite. Launched on 8 November 1969 it studied the Van Allen belts, solar particles, and aurorae.{{cite encyclopedia| title = Azur| encyclopedia = The Internet Encyclopedia Of Science| url = http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/Azur.html | accessdate = 2009-07-19 }}{{cite web|title=Azur, Aeros, and Dial-Wika satellites |work=Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University |url=http://www.cira.colostate.edu/ramm/hillger/Azur.htm#azur_covers |accessdate=2009-08-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201145241/http://www.cira.colostate.edu/ramm/hillger/Azur.htm |archivedate=December 1, 2008 }}

The construction of the satellite was carried out by Ludwig Bölkow, one of the aeronautical pioneers of Germany, and with the participation of other German companies.{{cite web|url=https://www.spacelegalissues.com/azur-the-first-german-satellite/|title=Azur: The first German satellite}}