Scout X-2M
Encyclopedia
Scout X-2M was an American
expendable launch system
which was flown three times between May 1962 and April 1963. It was a four stage rocket, based on the earlier Scout X-2
, but with an MG-18 upper stage instead of the Altair
used on the X-2. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.
The Scout X-2 was an all-solid rocket, with an Algol 1D first stagea Castor 1A second stage, an Antares 2A third stage, and an MG-18 fourth stage. It was launched from Launch Complex D
at Point Arguello
, and was used for the launch of P-35 weather satellites.
The first Scout X-2M was launched 24 May 1962, carrying P35-1, but failed to reach orbit. The second flight, launched at 11:44 GMT on 23 August, was the only successful launch to be made by an X-2M, placing P35-2 into low Earth orbit
. The final launch, with P35-4 occurred on 26 April 1963, and like the first flight, it failed to reach orbit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
which was flown three times between May 1962 and April 1963. It was a four stage rocket, based on the earlier Scout X-2
Scout X-2
Scout X-2 was an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket which was flown twice in 1962. It was a four stage rocket, based on the earlier Scout X-1, uprated first and third stages. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets....
, but with an MG-18 upper stage instead of the Altair
Altair (rocket stage)
The Altair was a solid-fuel rocket with a fiberglass casing, initially developed for use as the third stage of Vanguard rockets. It was manufactured by Allegany Ballistics Laboratory as the X-248. It was also sometimes called the Burner 1.-Uses:...
used on the X-2. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.
The Scout X-2 was an all-solid rocket, with an Algol 1D first stagea Castor 1A second stage, an Antares 2A third stage, and an MG-18 fourth stage. It was launched from Launch Complex D
Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 5
Space Launch Complex 5 was a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States. It was previously part of the Point Arguello Naval Air Station, during which time it was designated Launch Complex D or LC-D. Constructed in 1961, it was used by 69 Scout rockets between 1962 and 1994...
at Point Arguello
Point Arguello
Point Arguello is a headland used as a launch site by the United States Navy. Point Arguello was first used in 1959 for the launch of military and sounding rockets. It was transferred to the United States Air Force in 1964, at which time it became part of Vandenberg Air Force Base.There were 6...
, and was used for the launch of P-35 weather satellites.
The first Scout X-2M was launched 24 May 1962, carrying P35-1, but failed to reach orbit. The second flight, launched at 11:44 GMT on 23 August, was the only successful launch to be made by an X-2M, placing P35-2 into low Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
. The final launch, with P35-4 occurred on 26 April 1963, and like the first flight, it failed to reach orbit.