Scout X-2
Launch vehicle · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Credit: © Mark Wade
American all-solid orbital launch vehicle. Four stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Algol 1D + 1 x Castor + 1 x Antares 2 + 1 x Altair
LEO Payload: 76 kg (167 lb) to a 185 km orbit. Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 8.910 million.
Stage Data - Scout X-2
- Stage 1. 1 x Algol 1. Gross Mass: 10,705 kg (23,600 lb). Empty Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Thrust (vac): 470.934 kN (105,870 lbf). Isp: 236 sec. Burn time: 40 sec. Isp(sl): 214 sec. Diameter: 1.01 m (3.31 ft). Span: 1.01 m (3.31 ft). Length: 9.12 m (29.92 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: Algol 1. Other designations: Senior. Status: Out of Production. This rocket started as a Polaris test motor with a 40 inch diameter, which at the time was the largest solid motor ever tested. It had a nominal performance rating of 45 seconds duration and 45,000 kgf thrust. Variations included Algol I, I-D, II, II-A, II-B and possibly others. Another popular rating was 40KS-115,000 (52,000 kgf for 40 seconds), also known as Senior.
- Stage 2. 1 x Castor 1. Gross Mass: 3,852 kg (8,492 lb). Empty Mass: 535 kg (1,179 lb). Thrust (vac): 286.001 kN (64,296 lbf). Isp: 247 sec. Burn time: 27 sec. Isp(sl): 232 sec. Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Span: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Length: 5.92 m (19.42 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: M33-20-4. Status: Out of Production.
- Stage 3. 1 x Antares 2. Gross Mass: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). Empty Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Thrust (vac): 93.094 kN (20,928 lbf). Isp: 293 sec. Burn time: 36 sec. Isp(sl): 233 sec. Diameter: 0.78 m (2.55 ft). Span: 0.78 m (2.55 ft). Length: 2.90 m (9.50 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: X-259. Status: Out of Production.
- Stage 4. 1 x Altair 1A. Gross Mass: 390 kg (850 lb). Empty Mass: 181 kg (399 lb). Thrust (vac): 13.788 kN (3,100 lbf). Isp: 255 sec. Burn time: 40 sec. Isp(sl): 232 sec. Diameter: 0.46 m (1.50 ft). Span: 0.46 m (1.50 ft). Length: 2.50 m (8.20 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: X-248A. Status: Out of Production.
More at: Scout X-2.
Related
- Family
- all-solid, orbital launch vehicle
- Country
- USA
- Spacecraft
- GRAB, Program 35
- Launch Sites
- Wallops Island, Vandenberg, Wallops Island LA3, Vandenberg SLC5
- Agency
- Vought
Chronology
2 events
1962 March 29
07:27 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-2.1962 April 26
Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-2. FAILURE: Failure.. Failed Stage: U.- Solrad 4B - .
Payload: Grab E. Mass: 91 kg (200 lb). Nation: USA.
Agency: USN.
Class: Surveillance.
Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: GRAB.
Decay Date: 1962-04-26 .
The first Scout vehicle (#111) was launched from Vandenberg AFB and carried the Navy's Solar Radiation (SOLRAD 4B) payload (which was actually the last classified Grab ELINT satellite). However, a third stage failure resulted in payload impact 225-NM downrange. Solar radiation monitor.