Nike Nike was the designation of a two to four stage American sounding rocket consisting of two Nike stages and optional upper stages. These include the Hercules M5E1, M6, and X-220 solid rocket engines, the NOTS 'HPAG' solid rocket engine, and the Thiokol T-40, T-55, and 1.5KS35000 solid rocket engines.[1] Nike Nike had a payload capacity of 70kg to a 352 km altitude, and was used 19 times between 1956 and 1979.[2][3][4][5]
Specifications:[5]
- Diameter: 0.42m (1.37ft)
- Height: 11.90m (39.00ft)
- Span: 1.80m (5.90ft)
- Gross mass: 1,392kg (3,068 lb)
- Thrust: 217 kN (48,783 lbf)
| Launch Date | Mission | Agency | Launch Complex | Apogee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 June 1956 | E41 model test flight | NASA | Wallops Island | 10 km |
| 23 April 1959 | Cree III 29-2 | USAF | Eglin A-15 | 12 km |
| 19 June 1959 | Cree III 30-3 | USAF | Eglin A-15 | 20 km |
| 10 July 1959 - 12:45 GMT | Cree III 31-4 | USAF | Eglin A-15 | 20km |
| 2 September 1959 | Cree III 32-5 | USAF | Eglin A-15 | 23km |
| 22 August 1960 - 17:06 GMT | Cree II unknown | USAF | Eglin | 46 km |
| 21 November 1960 - 17:00 GMT | Cree II unknown | USAF | Eglin | 33 km |
| 1966 | SPTV-8 Para test | SAND | Tonopah | 4 km |
| 1966 | SPTV-9 Para test | SAND | Tonopah | 4 km |
| 15 February 1967 | Parachute test | Unknown | Tonopah | 4 km |
| 17 November 1967 | Parachute test | Unknown | Tonopah | 4 km |
| 12 June 1968 | Parachute test | Unknown | Tonopah | 4 km |
| 20 May 1978 - 09:29 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy release mission | USAF GL | Wallops Island | 53 km |
| 22 May 1978 - 09:27 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy release mission | USAF GL | Wallops Island | 54 km |
| 13 September 1978 - 00:53 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy release mission | USAF GL | Fort Churchill | 45 km |
| 13 September 1978 - 11:13 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy release mission | USAF GL | Fort Churchill | 45 km |
| 23 October 1979 - 23:04 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy / Chemical release mission | USAF GL | Chilca | 50 km |
| 24 October 1979 - 23:24 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy / Chemical release mission | USAF GL | Chilca | 50 km |
| 29 October 1979 - 23:04 GMT | SMOKE Aeronomy / Chemical release mission | USAF GL | Chilca | 50 km |
References
edit- ^ "M5E1". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ^ Stokes, Charles S. (January 31, 1980). "Chemical Release Payloads: Stratospheric Wind Measurement" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2019.
- ^ "Nike Nike". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
- ^ Vickery, William K. (April 1963). "FIREFLY 3, SOUNDING ROCKET LAUNCHING REPORT. LAUNCH FACILITY, VEHICLES, AND DATA REDUCTION (33 VEHICLES LAUNCHED 15 OCTOBER-15 DECEMBER 1962)". Archived from the original on June 1, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Nike Nike". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.