Sparoair
 Sparoair II on F4D | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Naval Missile Center |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Diameter | 200 mm (8 in) |
| Mass | 143 kg (315 lb) |
| Stages | Two |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to 120 km (65 nmi) | |
| Mass | 18 kg (40 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Point Mugu |
| First flight | 1960 |
| Last flight | 8 July 1965 |
Sparoairwas a family of air-launchedsounding rocketsdeveloped by theUnited States Navyin the late 1950s and early 1960s. Based on theSparrowair-to-air missile, three versions of the rocket were developed; although some launches were successful, the system did not enter operational service.
Sparoair I and II[edit]
Sparoair was developed by theNaval Missile Center,as a two-stage development of the Sparrow III air-to-air missile.[1][2]Propelled by two Sparrow rocket motors mounted in tandem,[3]the Sparoair could be launched fromF3H (F-3) DemonandF4D (F-6) Skyrayfighter aircraft, and was capable of lifting a 40 pounds (18 kg) payload to anapogeeof 65 nautical miles (120 km; 75 mi).[4][2]
TheSparoair Iwas the original version of the rocket, launched using an ejection system and a lanyard for firing; after that proved unreliable in flight testing, theSparoair IIwas developed that utilised a rail launch with ignition prior to release from the aircraft.[1]Eight launches of Sparoair II vehicles had been conducted by 1961.[1]Each Sparoair II rocket cost US$6,000.[2]
Sparoair III[edit]
Sparoair IIIutilised a redesigned second-stage motor, and could be launched from theF-4 Phantom II;however, any aircraft capable of launching the Sparrow III AAM could launch the Sparoair.[1]
The Sparoair III utilised the aircraft'sLow Altitude Bombing System(LABS) circuits to initiate launch; the second stage was ignited via a mechanical device armed by the acceleration of the first stage.[1]
The first Sparoair III was launched on 8 July 1965; it proved a partial failure as the second stage failed to ignite. The second launch on 26 May 1966 failed after six seconds of second-stage burn when the vehicle exploded.[1]No further launches were undertaken.[5]
References[edit]
- ^abcdefBolster, W.J.; G. C. Googins (1969)."Design, Development and Testing of a Series of Air-Launched Sounding Rockets".Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets.6(4). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: 460–465.Bibcode:1969JSpRo...6..460B.doi:10.2514/3.29679.Retrieved2 December2011.
- ^abcPfeiffer, Marie (September 1962)."Rockets Probe Mysteries of Upper Air"(PDF).Naval Aviation News.Washington, D.C.: Navy Department: 19.Retrieved4 December2011.
- ^Jung, Philippe, ed. (1998).History of Rocketry and Astronautics: proceedings of the Twenty-seventh History Symposium of the International Academy of Astronautics.AAS History Series. Vol. 22. American Astronomical Society. p. 74.ISBN978-0-87703-444-5.
- ^"Missiles and Rockets, Volume 21, Part 1".American Aviation Publications. 1967.Retrieved2 December2011.
- ^Wade, Mark (ed.)."Sparoair".Encyclopedia Astronautica.Archived fromthe originalon 26 October 2010.Retrieved2 December2011.