 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 |
| Derivative work | RM-90 Blue Scout II |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | CanaveralLC-18B |
| Total launches | 4 |
| Success(es) | 2 |
| Failure(s) | 2 |
| First flight | 1961-01-07 |
| Last flight | 1962-04-12 |
| First stage –Algol 1B | |
| Powered by | 1solid |
| Maximum thrust | 471 kilonewtons (106,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 236 sec |
| Burn time | 40 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage –Castor 1A | |
| Powered by | 1solid |
| Maximum thrust | 286 kilonewtons (64,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 247 sec |
| Burn time | 27 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage –Antares 1A | |
| Powered by | 1X-254 |
| Maximum thrust | 60 kilonewtons (13,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 256 sec |
| Burn time | 39 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage –Castor 1A | |
| Powered by | 1X-254 |
| Maximum thrust | 65 kilonewtons (15,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 249 sec |
| Burn time | 29 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
TheRM-89 Blue Scout I was an Americansounding rocket which was flown four times between January 1961 and April 1962. It was used for twoHETS test flights, and a flight to investigateatmospheric re-entry. It was a member of theScout family of rockets.
The Blue Scout I was a four-stage rocket derived from theScout X-1. All four launches occurred fromLaunch Complex 18B at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station. The first two launches were conducted on 7 January and 9 May 1961 respectively. They both carriedHETS A1plasma research experiments onsuborbital trajectories. The second two launches were conducted on 12 April 1962, with a payload that was intended to investigate atmospheric reentry.
The first two launches was successful, however recovery of the payload failed. The second two launches failed due to problems with the Blue Scout.
TheBlue Scout II was a four-stage derivative of the Blue Scout I. It was flown four times in 1961, twice with HETS payloads, and twice with theMercury-Scout 1 satellite.
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