| Azur | |
| Operator: | BMWF/DLR |
| Cospar Id: | 1969-097A |
| Satcat: | 4221 |
| Mission Duration: | (achieved) (in orbit) |
| Manufacturer: | BMWF/NASA |
| Launch Date: | UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Scout B S169C |
| Launch Site: | Vandenberg SLC-5 |
| Orbit Epoch: | 6 December 2013, 12:36:47 UTC[1] |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Medium Earth Decayed into Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 368km (229miles) |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 1445km (898miles) |
| 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.[2] [3]
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.[4]