Function | Expendable launch system Sounding rocket |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Vought |
Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 24 metres (79 ft) |
Diameter | 1.02 metres (3 ft 4 in) |
Mass | 16,874 kilograms (37,201 lb) |
Stages | Four |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | |
Mass | 30 kilograms (66 lb) |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Scout |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | Canaveral LC-18B |
Total launches | 3 |
Success(es) | 2 |
Failure(s) | 1 |
First flight | 1961-03-03 |
Last flight | 1961-11-01 |
First stage – Algol 1B | |
Powered by | 1 solid |
Maximum thrust | 471 kilonewtons (106,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 236 sec |
Burn time | 40 seconds |
Propellant | Solid |
Second stage – Castor 2 | |
Powered by | 1 TX-354-3 |
Maximum thrust | 286 kilonewtons (64,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 247 sec |
Burn time | 27 seconds |
Propellant | Solid |
Third stage – Antares 1A | |
Powered by | 1 X-254 |
Maximum thrust | 60 kilonewtons (13,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 256 sec |
Burn time | 39 seconds |
Propellant | Solid |
Fourth stage – Altair 1A | |
Powered by | 1 X-248A |
Maximum thrust | 14 kilonewtons (3,100 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 255 sec |
Burn time | 40 seconds |
Propellant | Solid |
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]