RM-86 Exos
 | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | University of Michigan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 12.941 metres (42 ft 5.5 in) |
| Diameter | 580 millimetres (22.9 in) |
| Mass | 2,660 kilograms (5,870 lb) |
| Stages | Three |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Eglin AFB |
| Total launches | 10 |
| Success(es) | 9 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | June 26, 1958 |
| Last flight | November 2, 1965 |
TheExos,originally designatedRM-86and laterPWN-4,was asounding rocketdeveloped by theUniversity of MichiganandNACAfor use by theUnited States Air Force.
History
[edit]Developed by the University of Michigan for use by theAir Force Cambridge Research Center,Exos used a three-stage configuration, consisting of a first-stage rocket from anHonest Johnrocket, a second stage from aNike-Ajaxsurface-to-air missile, and aThiokol XM19upper 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 theWallops Flight Facility.[3]Eight operational launches took place between 1960 and 1965, launched fromEglin Air Force Base.[4]
Launch history
[edit]| 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 | Ionosphericresearch |
| 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 Yearaeronomymission |
References
[edit]- ^Skoog, Å. Ingemar and R. Cargill Hall, ed. (1990).History of Rocketry and Astronautics: Proceedings of the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth History Symposia of the International Academy of Astronautics.AAS History Series. Vol. 10. Springfield, Virginia: American Astronautical Society. p. 214.ISBN978-0-87703-329-5.
- ^abParsch, Andreas (2002)."University of Michigan RM-86/PWN-4 Exos".Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles.designation-systems.net.Retrieved2014-05-11.
- ^Shortal, Joseph Adams (1978).A New Dimension, Wallops Island Flight Test Range: The First Fifteen Years.Hampton, VA:National Aeronautics and Space Administration.p. 581.ASINB004VJHCKC.
- ^ab"Exos".astronautix.Archived fromthe originalon 2003-09-04.Retrieved2024-04-28.