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Sounding rocket. Family: Air-Launched. Country: USA. Status: Retired 1966.

Air-launched two stage vehicle consisting of tandem Sparrow air-to-air missile motors.

Manufacturer: US Navy. Launches: 5. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 60.00%. First Launch Date: 1960-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1966-05-26. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). Version:

Sparoair I.

Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F3H Cougar + 1 x Sparrow + 1 x Sparrow

Launches: 2. First Launch Date: 1960-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1963-08-02. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Core Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Total Length: 3.70 m (12.10 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Sparoair II-1. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 1.8KS7800. Thrust (vac): 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Burn time: 1.80 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Sparoair II-1. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 1.8KS7800. Thrust (vac): 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Burn time: 1.80 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sparoair II.

Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F3H Cougar + 1 x Sparrow + 1 x Sparrow

Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 1961-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1961-01-01. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Core Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Total Length: 3.90 m (12.70 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Sparoair II-1. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 1.8KS7800. Thrust (vac): 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Burn time: 1.80 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Sparoair II-1. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 1.8KS7800. Thrust (vac): 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Burn time: 1.80 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Sparoair III.

Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F4B Phantom + 1 x Sparrow + 1 x 22.6KS1245

Launches: 2. Failures: 2. First Launch Date: 1965-07-08. Last Launch Date: 1966-05-26. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Core Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Total Length: 3.90 m (12.70 ft).

  • Stage0: 1 x F-4. Gross Mass: 22,517 kg (49,641 lb). Empty Mass: 13,394 kg (29,528 lb). Motor: 2 x J79-17. Thrust (vac): 105.578 kN (23,735 lbf). Isp: 2,020 sec. Burn time: 6,000 sec. Length: 19.20 m (62.90 ft). Diameter: 5.03 m (16.50 ft). Propellants: Air/Kerosene.
  • Stage1: 1 x Sparoair II-1. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 1.8KS7800. Thrust (vac): 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Burn time: 1.80 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Sparoair III-2. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x 22.6KS1245. Thrust (vac): 5.500 kN (1,236 lbf). Burn time: 23 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Sparoair Chronology

1960 - Point Mugu -. Test mission Agency: USN NMC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1961 - Point Mugu -. Test mission Agency: USN NMC. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1963 August 2 - Point Mugu -. Ultraviolet astronomy mission Agency: USN NMC. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi).

1965 July 8 - Point Mugu -. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USN. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi).

1966 May 26 - Point Mugu -. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USN. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi).

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.