50 years after Apollo 12 Corvette is once again linked to a space mission

• DARE from TU Delft provides unveiled the Stratos IV rocket in a unique way
• Corvette: the choice of astronauts for a symbolic lease rate of $ 1 per year

This year, it is precisely 50 years ago that the #apollo12 set its sights on the moon. The astronauts involved – Pete Conrad, Alan Bean and Dick Gordon – not only became heroes as a result of this mission, they also became icons with their three identical 1969 Corvettes. Fifty years later, in 2019, the #chevrolet #corvette is once again linked to a space mission. This week, Delft Aerospace Rocket Engineering (DARE) provided a spectacular unveiling for the Stratos IV rocket.

In the 1960s and early 70s, the #corvette was the ‘car of choice’ for astronauts who took part in manned space missions. #chevrolet made a special effort to provide them with one of these all-American sports-cars.  And since compliance rules did not allow cars to be offered or accepted for free, a very attractive leasing fee of just $ 1 per year was agreed with the astronauts. This cooperation not only created huge driving enjoyment it also provided unforgettable images. Perhaps the most well-known photo shows the three astronauts from the #apollo12 mission to the moon, sitting on the roofs of their ‘69 Corvettes.

New, Dutch space mission

Half a century later, #corvette has a significant role in a space mission again. This week, DARE from the TU Delft presented the Stratos IV. This rocket, which is expected to be launched from the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa in summer 2020, is the first space craft to have been developed by students and should reach a height of over 100 kilometres. It will also be the first Dutch rocket in space.