TheAltair was asolid-fuel rocket with afiberglass casing, initially developed for use as thethird stage ofVanguard rockets in 1959.[1] It was manufactured byAllegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) as the X-248. It was also sometimes called theBurner 1.
The X-248 was one of two third-stage designs used duringProject Vanguard. Early launches used a stage developed by theGrand Central Rocket Company, but the last used the X-248 which enabled the Vanguard to launch more massive payload.
The X-248 was used as the second stage of some earlyThor flights. These vehicles were designated "Thor-Burner".
Altairs were used as the third stage of earlyDelta rockets.[2]
The fourth stage of theScout-X rocket used the "Altair-1A" stage, powered by a X-248A engine.[3][4]
The Altair 2 (X-258)Thiokol (Star 25, TE-M-184-3) solid rocket engine first flew in 1963 and was the kick stage motor forDelta D,Scout A, Scout X-4, andAtlas-D OV1 as part of theOrbiting Vehicle[5] satellites.[6] It was retired in 1973.[7]
The Altair 3 (FW-4S) solid rocket engine first flew in 1968 and was used on the Atlas-E/F OV1 as part of the OV1 upper stage.[8] It was also used as the second stage of theASM-135 ASAT anti-satellite missile.[9] It as proposed as the fourth stage for Advanced Scout.[10] The FW-4S motor is similar to ThiokolStar 20 (TE-M-640), and both are designated by NASA as Altair IIIA.[11]
Non-military suborbital rocket engines and motors that have flown | ||
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| Liquid fuel engines |  | |
| Hybrid propellant engines | ||
| Solid propellant motors | ||
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| Solid fuel |
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