Blue_Scout_II

RM-90 Blue Scout II

RM-90 Blue Scout II

U.S. sounding rocket, 1961

The RM-90 Blue Scout II was an American sounding rocket and expendable launch system which was flown three times during 1961. It was used for two HETS test flights, and the launch of the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.

Quick Facts Function, Manufacturer ...

The Blue Scout II was a military version of the NASA-operated Scout X-1.

Launches

All three launches occurred from Launch Complex 18B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the same launch pad used for the Blue Scout I.

The first two launches were successfully conducted on 3 March and 12 April 1961 respectively, using vehicles D-4 and D-5. They both carried HETS A2 plasma research experiments on suborbital trajectories.

The third launch was conducted on 1 November, using vehicle D-8, with the Mercury-Scout 1 satellite for NASA, which was intended to reach low Earth orbit. The launch failed after the rocket went out of control, and was destroyed by the range safety officer 43 seconds after liftoff.

References

    • Wade, Mark. "Scout". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
    • Krebs, Gunter. "Scout". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
    • McDowell, Jonathan. "Scout". Orbital & Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
    • Heyman, Jos; Parsch, Andreas (2007-07-09). "LTV SLV-1 Scout". Appendix 3: Space Vehicles. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
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