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Blue Scout Junior |
BLUE SCOUT JUNIOR Fact Sheet
Written and Edited by Cliff Lethbridge
Classification: Research
Rocket
Length: 40 feet, 5 inches
Diameter: 2 feet, 7 inches
Finspan: To Be Updated
The Blue Scout Junior, designated XRM-91, represented a major revision of previous
Scout rockets. It was introduced to support smaller, more streamlined
scientific research activities of the U.S. Air Force.
The Castor second stage and Antares third stage
used on Scout, Blue Scout I and Blue Scout II rockets were adapted to become
the first and second stages, respectively, of the Blue Scout Junior.
Each of these stages was modified to carry four fixed, triangular fins at
their aft ends. These fins provided stabilization during flight.
A new third stage, called Alcor, was introduced.
It burned for 30 seconds and could produce 8,000 pounds of thrust. A new fourth
stage, called Cetus, could produce a maximum thrust
of 900 pounds.
The rocket, which did not carry any guidance equipment, was launched from a
beam used previously for U.S. Army Sergeant missiles.
The Blue Scout Junior was spin-stabilized from launch.
Spin rockets on the second stage were fired at launch and stabilized the
Blue Scout Junior at three revolutions per second. This motion was sufficient
to keep the third and fourth stages on course following burnout of the first
two stages.
Launches of all classes of Scout rockets from
NASA continues to use a modern version of the Scout for launching
lightweight scientific payloads, although all of these launches are conducted
from Vandenberg Air Force Base,
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