Nike-Asp
 A Nike-Asp undergoes a preflight check at Wallops Flight Facility | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 7.9 m (26 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.42 m (1 ft 5 in) |
| Mass | 700 kg (1,500 lb) |
| Stages | Two |
| Payload to 260 km (160 mi) | |
| Mass | 27 kg (60 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Multiple |
| Total launches | 77 |
| First flight | 26 September 1957 |
| Last flight | 18 February 1963 |
| First stage – Nike | |
| Diameter | 0.42 m (1 ft 5 in) |
| Powered by | 1 x ABL M5 |
| Maximum thrust | 217 kN (49,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 3.5 s |
| Propellant | solid |
| Second stage – Asp IV | |
| Diameter | 0.17 m (6.7 in) |
| Powered by | 1 x RM-1400 |
| Maximum thrust | 12.7 kN (2,900 lbf) |
| Burn time | 12 s |
| Propellant | solid |
Nike Asp was an American sounding rocket. The Nike Asp has a ceiling of 220 km, a takeoff thrust of 217 kN, a takeoff weight of 700 kg, a diameter of 0.42 m and a length of 7.90 m.
The Nike-Asp is an Asp rocket (Asp IV RM-1400) with a Nike booster system.[1] It was at times ship-launched. After NASA took control of the project, the rocket fell into disuse.
USS Point Defiance (LSD-31)
[edit]
USS Point Defiance (LSD-31) became one of the first rocket-launching surface ships to support the 1958 IGY Solar Eclipse Expedition to the Danger Island region of the South Pacific.
Launchers on deck fired eight Nike-Asp model LV sounding rockets to collect scientific data during the eclipse. Each USN solar XUV and X-ray detection launch (5 as a salvo) was from 40.0° N 150.0° W on Oct 12 1958 - at 08:32, 08:42, 08:43, 08:52, and 09:10 GMT, with configuration designations: NN8.59F - NN8.62F and successive apogee achievements of 222, 236, 242, 240, and 88 km.[2]
Vandenberg Air Force Base
[edit]Between Jul 14 and Aug 31 1959, five Nike-Asps were launched as part of the solar X-ray mission by the US Navy. The last launch on Aug 31 1959 at 22:53 GMT carried the Sunflare II solar X-ray detection system to an apogee of 200 km.[3]
Eglin Air Force Base
[edit]In an unsuccessful effort to measure lunar X-ray emission, the USAF launched the last Nike-Asp on Sep 27 1960 at 22:10 GMT to an apogee of 233 km.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nike Asp". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ "Chronology - Quarter 3 1958". Archived from the original on February 7, 2002.
- ^ "Chronology - Quarter 3 1959". Archived from the original on 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Chronology - Quarter 3 1960". Archived from the original on March 5, 2002.