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RM-90 Blue Scout II

Blue Scout II rocket
FunctionExpendable launch system
Sounding rocket
ManufacturerVought
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height24 metres (79 ft)
Diameter1.02 metres (3 ft 4 in)
Mass16,874 kilograms (37,201 lb)
StagesFour
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass30 kilograms (66 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyScout
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesCanaveral LC-18B
Total launches3
Success(es)2
Failure(s)1
First flight1961-03-03
Last flight1961-11-01
First stage – Algol 1B
Powered by1 solid
Maximum thrust471 kilonewtons (106,000 lbf)
Specific impulse236 sec
Burn time40 seconds
PropellantSolid
Second stage – Castor 2
Powered by1 TX-354-3
Maximum thrust286 kilonewtons (64,000 lbf)
Specific impulse247 sec
Burn time27 seconds
PropellantSolid
Third stage – Antares 1A
Powered by1 X-254
Maximum thrust60 kilonewtons (13,000 lbf)
Specific impulse256 sec
Burn time39 seconds
PropellantSolid
Fourth stage – Altair 1A
Powered by1 X-248A
Maximum thrust14 kilonewtons (3,100 lbf)
Specific impulse255 sec
Burn time40 seconds
PropellantSolid
[edit on Wikidata]

The RM-90 Blue Scout II was an American sounding rocket and expendable launch system which was flown three times during 1961.[1][2][3] It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.[4] Blue Scout II was a military version of the NASA-operated Scout X-1, with adjustments to the payload fairings, engine nozzles and fins.[1][3]

Blue Scout II had a total length of 21.65 m and a finspan of 2.84 m.

It was capable of sending a 30 kg payload to a 300 km orbit at 28.00 degrees.[1] It was a four stage vehicle, with the following engines:[1][2][3][5]


Blue Scout II was used for two HETS test flights, and the launch of the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA.[1][2][6] This rocket and RM-89 Blue Scout I were replaced by Blue Scout Junior.[3]

Blue Scout II parameters

[edit]
Parameter 1st Stage 2nd Stage 3rd Stage 4th Stage
Gross Mass 10,705 kg 4,424 kg 1,225 kg 238 kg
Empty Mass 1,900 kg 695 kg 294 kg 30 kg
Thrust 470 kN 259 kN 60.5 kN 12.4 kN
Isp 214 s (2.10 kNs/kg) 262 s (2.57 kNs/kg) 256 s (2.51 kNs/kg) 256 s (2.51 kNs/kg)
Burn time 40 s 37 s 39 s 38 s
Length 9.12 m 6.04 m 3.38 m 1.83 m
Diameter 1.01 m 0.79 m 0.78 m 0.46 m
Engine: Aerojet General Algol 1 Thiokol XM33 (TX-354-3) Castor 2 Allegany Ballistics Lab X-254 Antares 1A Allegany Ballistics Lab X-248 Altair 1
Propellant Solid Solid Solid Solid

Launches

[edit]

All three Blue Scout II launches occurred from Launch Complex 18B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the same launch pad used for the Blue Scout I.[1][2]

The first two launches were successfully conducted on 3 March and 12 April 1961 respectively, using vehicles D-4 and D-5.[1][2][7] They both carried HETS A2 plasma research experiments on suborbital trajectories.

The third launch was conducted on 1 November, using vehicle D-8, with the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA, which was intended to reach low Earth orbit.[6] The launch failed after the rocket went out of control, and was destroyed by the range safety officer 43 seconds after liftoff.[1][2]

Date Serial Agency Orbit Mission Description
1961 March 3 D-4 USAF Suborbital, 2540 km apogee[7] HETS A2-1 plasma mission
1961 April 12 D-5 USAF Suborbital, 1931 km apogee[7] HETS A2-2 plasma mission
1961 November 1 D-8 USAF 373 km × 643 km, 32.5° (planned)[6] Mercury-Scout 1 (failure)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Mark, Mark. "Blue Scout II". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gunter, Krebs. "Blue Scout-2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  3. ^ a b c d Parsch, Andreas (2003). "Ford RM-90 Blue Scout II". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles - Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  4. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Scout (Algol-1, -2 based)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  5. ^ "Antares 1A". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. ^ a b c "Mercury-Scout 1 (MS 1, MNTV 1)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  7. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Orbital & Suborbital Launch Database - Scout". Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11.