Project Pilot
Launch vehicle · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. The US Navy's satellite launcher project competed with the Army's Jupiter-C, the Air Force Atlas, and the civilian Vanguard. Air-launched satellite launch vehicle, and anti-satellite versions, tested by the US Navy shortly after Sputnik. One may have achieved orbit.
11 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F4D-1 Skyray + 2 x HOTROC + 2 x HOTROC + 1 x X-241 + 1 x NOTS 8in + 1 x NOTS 3in Sph. + 2 x HOTROC + 2 x HOTROC + 1 x X-241 + 1 x NOTS 8in + 1 x NOTS 3in Sph..
LEO Payload: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb).
More at: Project Pilot.
Subtopics
- Project Pilot 1 American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Ground-launched, 5 stage vehicle for Project Pilot.
- Project Pilot 2 American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Six stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F4D-1 Skyray + 2 x HOTROC + 2 x HOTROC + 1 x X-241 + 1 x NOTS 8in + 1 x NOTS 3in Sphere.
Related
- Country
- USA
- Spacecraft
- Pilot satellite
- Launch Sites
- China Lake, China Lake G-2, Santa Barbara Channel DZ
- Agency
- NOTS
Chronology
10 events
1958 July 4
Launch Site: China Lake. Launch Complex: China Lake G-2. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Failure.1958 July 18
Launch Site: China Lake. Launch Complex: China Lake G-2. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Failure.1958 July 25
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Radio contact lost; possibly reached orbit.. Failed Stage: U.- Pilot 1 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 1. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-07-25 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..
1958 August 12
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Vehicle exploded at ignition.. Failed Stage: 1.- Pilot 2 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 2. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-12 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..
1958 August 16
Launch Site: China Lake. Launch Complex: China Lake G-2. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Failure.1958 August 17
Launch Site: China Lake. Launch Complex: China Lake G-2. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Failure.1958 August 22
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Radio contact lost; possibly reached orbit.. Failed Stage: U.- Pilot 3 - . Payload: Diagnostic Payload 3. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-22 . Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..
1958 August 25
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Vehicle exploded after 0.75sec.. Failed Stage: 1.- Pilot 4 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 1. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-25 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..
1958 August 26
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: Stage failed to ignite, vehicle fell into Pacific.. Failed Stage: 1.- Pilot 5 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 2. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-26 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..
1958 August 28
Launch Site: Santa Barbara Channel DZ. Launch Pad: 34.2 N x 120.0 W. Launch Platform: F4D-1 747. Launch Vehicle: Project Pilot. FAILURE: One first stage motor failed to ignite, causing structural failure.. Failed Stage: 1.- Pilot 6 - . Payload: Radiation Payload 3. Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Pilot satellite. Decay Date: 1958-08-28 . Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Air dropped in Santa Barbara Channel DZ..