The RM-90 Blue Scout II was an American sounding rocket and expendable launch system which was flown three times during 1961.[1][2][3] It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.[4] Blue Scout II was a military version of the NASA-operated Scout X-1, with adjustments to the payload fairings, engine nozzles and fins.[1][3]
Blue Scout II had a total length of 21.65 m and a finspan of 2.84 m.
It was capable of sending a 30 kg payload to a 300 km orbit at 28.00 degrees.[1] It was a four stage vehicle, with the following engines:[1][2][3][5]
The first two launches were successfully conducted on 3 March and 12 April 1961 respectively, using vehicles D-4 and D-5.[1][2][7]
They both carried HETS A2plasma 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.[6] The launch failed after the rocket went out of control, and was destroyed by the range safety officer 43 seconds after liftoff.[1][2]
1234Parsch, Andreas (2003). "Ford RM-90 Blue Scout II". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles - Appendix 1: Early Missiles and Drones. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
This template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future
Symbol † indicates past or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but never succeeded (never did or has yet to perform a successful orbital launch)
