To save weight Aerojet used analuminum tube for the enginethrust chamber. Theengine used on Vanguard was anAJ10-37, burningnitric acid andUDMH asrocket propellants.On later Able models rockets the AJ10-41 and AJ10-42 engines were used. Aerojet made 21 Able rocket stages for use on launchers.[2] The Vanguard project launched 11 Able stages. Three putsatellites intoorbit:Vanguard 1,Vanguard 2 andVanguard 3. The Able rocket stage and the Vanguard project were an important part of theSpace Race between the US andSoviet Union.[citation needed] The AJ10 engines used in the Able rocket stage continue to be used on later rockets and are still in use. In honor of the rocket stage during ananimals in space test, arhesus monkey named Miss Able, flew withMiss Baker on May 28, 1959.[3] Later Able stages usedAJ10-101 or AJ10-101A rocket engines.
The Able rocket stage was discontinued in 1960. A version of the AJ10 engine used for the Able rocket stage was used as the engine ofApollo Service Module.[4]
The improved Able-Star version was used as the upper stage of theThor-Ablestar two stage launcher. The Able-Star second stage was an enlarged version of the Able rocket stage using AJ10-104 or AJ10-104D engines, which gave the Thor-Ablestar a greaterpayload capacity compared to the earlierThor-Able.[5] It also incorporated restart capabilities, allowing a multiple-burntrajectory to be flown, further increasing payload, or allowing the rocket to reach differentorbits. It was the first rocket to be developed with such a capability and development of the stage took a mere eight months.[6]
This template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future
Symbol† indicates past or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but never succeeded (never did or has yet to perform a successful orbital launch)
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