Editing History of the Weltraumgruppen (section)

== Testing and orbital flight ==
{{Main|Facilities of the Weltraumgruppen|List of Weltraumgruppen launch vehicles}}

Propulsion testing moved to [[Prüfstand Tuvanaka-Nord]] because the Tuvanaka area could support static firing away from Georgetown. The first successful V-2-derived engine test took place there on 18 March 1957, followed by the launch of a complete test vehicle from [[Startplatz Lijnhaven-Ost]] on 9 August 1958. Its planned high-altitude trajectory confirmed the reconstructed guidance equipment under flight conditions. The Patagonian works completed a pressure-rated orbital compartment in September 1959 and began producing flight sections in May 1962. Ships carried these sections to Tanoa for final assembly beside the launch range, establishing the division between Patagonian module production and Tanoan launch preparation. The [[Tanoanisches Orbitalzentrum Tuvanaka]] began controlling orbital missions in May 1963. On 17 May, an [[A-10 Georgetown]] placed the first Tanoan payload in orbit and extended tracking beyond the coastal range. Aráoz Valdivia continued arranging industrial supply until leaving active administration in 1964.

[[Celestino Varela Bunge]] succeeded Aráoz Valdivia as the principal Argentine administrator and redirected funding from individual launch attempts toward a continuing orbital program. The first crewed mission entered orbit on 22 November 1968, although limited water recycling kept its crew on a short schedule. The branch addressed endurance through a station assembled from replaceable sections. [[Orbitalstation Paap I|Orbitalstation ''Paap I'']] entered service on 6 June 1974 and provided crew transfer beside its tracking duties. Continuous occupation gave engineers operating data on air recovery and long-duration habitation that later informed city-ship design.