RM-89 Blue Scout I
![]() Blue Scout D6 ahead of the second HETS launch | |
Function | Sounding rocket |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Vought |
Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 21.65 metres (71.0 ft) |
Diameter | 1.02 metres (3 ft 4 in) |
Mass | 16,738 kilograms (36,901 lb) |
Stages | Three |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Scout |
Derivatives | RM-90 Blue Scout II |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | Canaveral LC-18B |
Total launches | 3 |
Successes | 1 |
Failures | 2 |
First flight | 1961-01-07 |
Last flight | 1962-04-12 |
First stage - Algol 1B | |
Engines | 1 solid |
Thrust | 471 kilonewtons (106,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 236 sec |
Burn time | 40 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
Second stage - Castor 1A | |
Engines | 1 solid |
Thrust | 286 kilonewtons (64,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 247 sec |
Burn time | 27 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
Third stage - Antares 1A | |
Engines | 1 X-254 |
Thrust | 60 kilonewtons (13,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 256 sec |
Burn time | 39 seconds |
Fuel | Solid |
The RM-89 Blue Scout I was an American sounding rocket which was flown three times between January 1961 and April 1962. It was used for two HETS test flights, and a flight to investigate atmospheric re-entry. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.
The Blue Scout I was a three-stage rocket derived from the Scout X-1. All three launches occurred from Launch Complex 18B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The first two launches were conducted on 7 January and 9 May 1961 respectively. They both carried HETS A1 plasma research experiments on suborbital trajectories. The third launch was conducted on 12 April 1962, with a payload that was intended to investigate atmospheric reentry.
The first launch was successful, however recovery of the payload failed. Both other launches failed due to problems with the Blue Scout.
The Blue Scout II was a four-stage derivative of the Blue Scout I. It was flown three times in 1961, twice with HETS payloads, and once with the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite.
References
- Wade, Mark. "Scout". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- Krebs, Gunter. "Scout". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Scout". Orbital & Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- Heyman, Jos; Parsch, Andreas (2007-07-09). "LTV SLV-1 Scout". Appendix 3: Space Vehicles. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Retrieved 2009-06-20.