Redstone Sparta

WRESAT Launch Vehicle

Mission Profile

The Redstone Sparta was a three-stage launch vehicle combining a modified Redstone ballistic missile first stage with Sergeant and Altair solid upper stages, developed for the single mission of placing Australia's first satellite into orbit. Standing 25 m tall with a 1.8 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 30 tonnes, it generated 347 kN of thrust from its Redstone main engine. Launched from Woomera, Australia in November 1966, the Redstone Sparta placed the WRESAT satellite into orbit, making Australia the seventh nation to achieve orbital launch capability and establishing a unique early chapter in Australian space history.