RM-86 Exos
 | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | University of Michigan |
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | United States |
| Size | |
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | 12.941 metres (42 ft 5.5 in) |
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | 580 millimetres (22.9 in) |
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | 2,660 kilograms (5,870 lb) |
| Stages | Three |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Wallops Flight Facility, Eglin AFB |
| Total launches | 10 |
| Success(es) | 9 |
| Failure | 1 |
| First flight | June 26, 1958 |
| Last flight | November 2, 1965 |
| First stage - MGR-1 Honest John | |
| Engines | Hercules M6 |
| Thrust | 404 kN (91,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 4.4 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage MIM-3 Nike Ajax | |
| Engines | Allegheny Ballistics X216A2 |
| Thrust | 246 kN (55,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 3 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage | |
| Engines | Thiokol XM19 |
| Thrust | 167 kN (38,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 1.6 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
The Exos, originally designated RM-86 and later PWN-4, was a sounding rocket developed by the University of Michigan and NACA for use by the United States Air Force.
History
[edit | edit source]Developed by the University of Michigan for use by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Exos used a three-stage configuration, consisting of a first-stage rocket from an Honest John rocket, a second stage from a Nike-Ajax surface-to-air missile, and a Thiokol XM19 upper stage.[1] It was designated XRM-86 in April 1959, and redesignated PWN-4A in June 1963.[2]
Utilising a rail launcher, the first launch of a full Exos vehicle took place in June 1958,[2] launched from the Wallops Flight Facility.[3] Eight operational launches took place between 1960 and 1965, launched from Eglin Air Force Base.[4]
Launch history
[edit | edit source]| Date (UTC) | Rocket | Launch site | Apogee | Outcome | Mission[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 June 1958 | Exos | Wallops Island | 370 kilometres (230 mi) | Success | Test launch |
| 25 September 1958 | Exos | Wallops Island | 460 kilometres (290 mi) | Success | Test launch |
| 19 February 1960 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 37 kilometres (23 mi) | Failure | Chemical release research |
| 11 August 1961 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 114 kilometres (71 mi) | Success | Ionospheric research |
| 3 August 1962 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 365 kilometres (227 mi) | Success | Bipolar Probe ionospheric research |
| 25 October 1962 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 669 kilometres (416 mi) | Success | Ionospheric research |
| 25 July 1963 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 623 kilometres (387 mi) | Success | Ionospheric research |
| 25 May 1965 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 488 kilometres (303 mi) | Success | Ionospheric research |
| 2 November 1965 | Exos | Eglin AFB | 686 kilometres (426 mi) | Success | International Quiet Sun Year aeronomy mission |
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).