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

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]

  • Stage 2: Castor 2 (TX-354-3), solid propellant;
  • Stage 3: Antares 1A (Star 31/X-254), solid propellant;
  • Stage 4: Altair 1A (X-248), solid propellant.


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]

  1. ^ a b c d e Mark, Mark. "Blue Scout II". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Mercury-Scout 1 (MS 1, MNTV 1)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-09-28.