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Deacon Rockoon
Part of Deacon
American sounding rocket. The Rockoon concept involved release of a 12 m diameter balloon from a ship, which took a Deacon sounding rocket to 9 to 27 km altitude in 80 minutes. The rocket was ignited at a preset time or altitude or by remote control, and then boosted an 18 kg payload to a 50 to 100 km altitude. The Deacon was painted black and wrapped in plastic to protect it against the cold, and fitted with larger fins for stability at high altitude.

Status: Retired 1956. First Launch: 1952-08-21. Last Launch: 1956-07-27. Number: 77 . Payload: 17 kg (37 lb). Thrust: 28.35 kN (6,373 lbf). Gross mass: 93 kg (205 lb). Height: 3.70 m (12.10 ft). Diameter: 0.16 m (0.52 ft). Span: 0.99 m (3.24 ft). Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

In 1950 James Van Allen was seeking solutions for the economical study of the upper atmosphere, sun, and cosmic rays at high altitudes. Sounding rockets launched from sea level required heavy and expensive booster stages to get the upper stage and payload through the high drag ascent through the lower atmosphere. He conceived the idea of taking a small rocket above most of the earth's atmosphere by balloon, before igniting the single stage that would take it to space. He selected the Deacon rocket as suitable.

The rocket would rip through the light balloon after ignition. Van Allen estimated that ten Rockoons could be flown for the cost of one surface-launched sounding rocket of equivalent capability. The only problem was that no rocket range could accommodate the wide range of possible impact points that could result as the balloon drifted away from the launch point. So Rockoon could only be launched from ships at sea in remote areas, away from shipping lanes.

Payload: 17 kg (37 lb) to a 100 km altitude.



Family: aircraft-launched. Country: USA. Stages: X-220, Deacon Rockoon-0. Agency: SUI.

1952 August 21 - . 06:25 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 80.1 N x 68.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1952 August 24 - . 03:34 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.5 N x 73.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1952 August 29 - . 00:26 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.6 N x 73.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1952 August 29 - . 07:36 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.5 N x 73.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1952 August 29 - . 18:15 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.4 N x 73.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1952 August 31 - . 21:10 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.3 N x 72.8 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1952 September 4 - . 09:17 GMT - . Launch Pad: Arctic Ocean, 77.2 N x 70.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 July 18 - . 22:27 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 42.4 N x 70.4 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 July 19 - . 10:30 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 43.1 N x 65.1 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 July 19 - . 15:53 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 43.7 N x 63.5 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 July 19 - . 21:57 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 44.3 N x 62.2 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 July 24 - . 16:40 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 58.5 N x 61.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 July 28 - . 09:41 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 62.5 N x 64.2 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 3 - . 18:28 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 62.8 N x 66.3 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 5 - . 21:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 62.1 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 6 - . 15:07 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 64.3 N x 59.1 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 August 6 - . 18:40 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 65.2 N x 58.6 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 8 - . 15:09 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 73.6 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 9 - . 05:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 74.4 N x 71.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 9 - . 19:15 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 74.5 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 August 11 - . 17:09 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 74.6 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 August 30 - . 14:00 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 53.1 N x 55.1 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 August 30 - . 16:20 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 52.8 N x 55.4 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1953 August 30 - . 20:46 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 53.1 N x 54.8 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 September 3 - . 09:50 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 44.8 N x 57.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 September 3 - . 11:51 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 44.8 N x 57.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 September 3 - . 14:05 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 44.6 N x 57.1 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 September 4 - . 03:59 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 43.2 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1953 September 4 - . 15:51 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 43.0 N x 63.9 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 16 - . 12:13 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 42.1 N x 66.7 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1954 July 16 - . 21:58 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 42.1 N x 66.7 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1954 July 19 - . 16:00 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 54.0 N x 53.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 19 - . 20:30 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 54.6 N x 53.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 20 - . 02:55 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 55.2 N x 53.4 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 21 - . 09:03 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.4 N x 54.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 21 - . 12:45 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.6 N x 54.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 21 - . 20:49 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.6 N x 52.5 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1954 July 23 - . 14:46 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.5 N x 53.6 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 23 - . 17:09 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.6 N x 53.0 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 23 - . 17:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.6 N x 52.8 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 23 - . 19:37 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.6 N x 52.4 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1954 July 24 - . 08:57 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.1 N x 54.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 24 - . 13:16 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 58.9 N x 53.9 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 25 - . 06:51 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.2 N x 53.7 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 25 - . 12:36 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.4 N x 59.4 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 25 - . 15:30 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 59.3 N x 54.6 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 25 - . 18:45 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 58.4 N x 55.0 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1954 July 26 - . 00:29 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 58.7 N x 56.2 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1954 July 26 - . 11:02 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 60.1 N x 56.4 W. Launch Platform: WYG-279. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 24 - . 16:35 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 44.6 N x 60.7 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 27 - . 19:12 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 58.1 N x 54.0 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 September 27 - . 19:43 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 57.4 N x 54.6 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 27 - . 20:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 57.9 N x 54.2 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 28 - . 12:45 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 61.5 N x 55.4 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 28 - . 14:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 61.2 N x 55.3 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 28 - . 17:40 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 62.5 N x 56.7 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 September 29 - . 13:42 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 65.7 N x 58.0 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 September 29 - . 19:13 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 67.5 N x 60.3 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 October 6 - . 10:54 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 65.9 N x 61.4 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 October 6 - . 19:10 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 65.1 N x 61.9 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 October 11 - . 14:33 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 61.6 N x 64.6 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 October 11 - . 14:37 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 60.6 N x 63.5 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 October 13 - . 06:37 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 57.2 N x 59.0 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 October 13 - . 12:44 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 56.8 N x 58.7 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1955 October 13 - . 13:42 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 56.0 N x 57.7 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 October 13 - . 15:24 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 56.4 N x 58.2 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1955 October 13 - . 20:13 GMT - . Launch Pad: Atlantic Ocean, 55.7 N x 57.3 W. Launch Platform: AGB-5. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 17 - . 15:40 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.7 N x 121.6 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 18 - . 15:46 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.7 N x 121.6 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 19 - . 15:21 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 30.3 N x 121.7 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 20 - . 19:15 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.7 N x 121.5 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 21 - . 17:18 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.8 N x 121.5 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1956 July 22 - . 17:57 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 30.2 N x 121.8 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 24 - . 14:07 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.8 N x 121.8 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon. FAILURE: Failure.
1956 July 25 - . 15:15 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.7 N x 121.6 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 26 - . 15:28 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.7 N x 121.5 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.
1956 July 27 - . 15:30 GMT - . Launch Pad: Pacific Ocean, 29.5 N x 121.6 W. Launch Platform: LSD-18. LV Family: Deacon. Launch Vehicle: Deacon Rockoon.

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