Aries
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Andreas Parsch
American target missile. Space Vector Corporation developed and flew the Aries test vehicle (based on the Minuteman 1 second stage) for Strategic Defense Initiative payloads.
The Naval Research Laboratory contracted with Space Vector Corporation to develop a single-stage sounding rocket using surplus Minuteman I second stages. Informally called 'Fat Albert', the first was launched with a dummy payload on 17 October 1973.
The Aries mated the Aerojet M56 solid-propellant rocket stage to four fixed tail fins (surplus from retired Talos missiles) and a nose cone. Four gimbaled nozzles provided steering, keyed by a new guidance and control system. Since it was not an unguided rocket, the Aries could be launched from confined firing ranges. The Aries was later used by NASA to launch X-ray and UV telescopes into space. Maximum payload capacity was 1590 kg / 3500 lb. USAF and NASA launched more than 20 Aries rockets on scientific missions until the early 1990s.
The Aries was also used by the military as a target launch vehicle for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. The majority of these tests launched targets for the U.S. Navy's RIM-156B SM-2 Block IV A and RIM-161 SM-3 interceptor missiles. Until the end of 2004, a total of more than 50 Aries rockets had been launched, and use as a ballistic missile target vehicle is continuing. Prime contractor for Aries-type target boosters was later Orbital Sciences Corporation, which renamed the rocket the TTV (Target Test Vehicle).
Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch
The retirement of the U.S. Air Force's LGM-30A-B Minuteman I ICBM in the late 1960s and early 1970s made hundreds of high-performance solid-fueled rocket stages surplus. In 1971, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) realized, that the second stage of the Minuteman I could be used to create a powerful single-stage sounding rocket, and contracted Space Vector Corp. (SVC) to build this vehicle. The rocket was initially called "Fat Albert", but the name was soon changed to Aries. The first Aries was successfully launched with a dummy payload on 17 October 1973.
The Aries was essentially an Aerojet M56 solid-propellant rocket stage fitted with four fixed tail fins and a nose cone. The M56 was steered by four gimballed nozzles, and SVC developed a new guidance and control system which was more suited to sounding rockets than the one of the ICBM. Other than most sounding rockets, the Aries was thus a fully guided missile and could therefore be used from relatively confined firing ranges. It was also by far the most powerful single-stage sounding vehicle, and could lift a payload of 820 kg (1800 lb) to more than 320 km (200 miles). The highest apogee reached by an Aries was 512 km (318 miles).
After the first two Aries tests, the configuration was slightly changed. The tail skirt was altered and the original fins (which had been taken from surplus RIM-8 Talos missiles) were replaced by a new design. The Aries was used by NASA to launch especially large and heavy payloads above the atmosphere, like X-ray and UV telescopes. Maximum payload capacity was 1590 kg (3500 lb). USAF and NASA launched more than 20 Aries rockets on scientific missions until the early 1990s.
The Aries was also used by the military as a target launch vehicle for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. The majority of these tests launched targets for the U.S. Navy's RIM-156B SM-2 Block IV A and RIM-161 SM-3 interceptor missiles. Until the end of 2004, a total of more than 50 Aries rockets has been launched, and use as a ballistic missile target vehicle is continuing. Current prime contractor for Aries-type target boosters is Orbital Sciences Corporation, which is calling the rocket the TTV (Target Test Vehicle).
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
- Length 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in) - 10.62 m (34 ft 10 in)
- Diameter 1.13 m (44.4 in)
- Finspan 2.86 m (9 ft 4.5 in)
- Weight 6060 kg (13370 lb) - 7150 kg (15760 lb)
- Altitude > 320 km (200 miles)
- Propulsion Aerojet M56 solid-fueled rocket; 207 kN (46500 lb) for 62 s
More at: Aries.
Subtopics
ERIS American anti-ballistic missile. Flight test vehicle for Exoatmospheric Re-Entry Interceptor Subsystem, an anti-ballistic missile hit-to-kill interceptor warhead. The ERIS vehicle itself consisted of surplus Minuteman ICBM second and third stages.- M56A1 American single-stage target missile using Minuteman 1 second stage.
Related
- Family
- ABM target
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Wallops Island, White Sands, Cape Canaveral, San Nicolas, White Sands LC36, Cape Canaveral LC20, Barking Sands, Kiruna, Barking Sands LC1, Eareckson, Kiruna A, Matagorda Island, Kodiak
- Stages
- M56A-1
- Agency
- Space Vector
- Bibliography
- 2
Chronology
49 events
1973 October 17
21:03 GMT - . Launch Site: San Nicolas. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1974 June 18
14:15 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1974 December 28
06:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.1975 August 18
12:45 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1976 March 30
20:27 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: Kiruna A. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.- DLR K-AR-75 Porc. F1 Magnetospheric mission - . Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR, NASA. Apogee: 360 km (220 mi).
1976 December 16
01:10 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1977 January 26
08:25 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1977 March 20
19:22 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: Kiruna A. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- DLR K-AR-82 Porc. F2 Magnetospheric mission - . Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR, NASA. Apogee: 460 km (280 mi).
1977 November 11
04:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- TEM-1 ABM infrared sensor technology mission - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USAF GL.
Apogee: 228 km (141 mi).
The first launch in the Multi-spectral Measurements Program took place at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During the experiment, the sensor module did not obtain the necessary data and was later destroyed when its parachute failed to deploy properly.
1978 June 12
08:45 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Astro 8-2 X-ray astronomy / microgravity mission - . Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 355 km (220 mi).
1978 September 7
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Aries MSMP launch abort. - .
The second launch in the Multispectral Measurements Program was attempted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During the pre-launch countdown, some squibs fired prematurely and separated the payload from the booster while it was still on the launch pad. This accident forced cancellation of the launch.
1979 January 28
06:06 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1979 March 19
22:57 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: Kiruna A. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1979 March 31
22:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: Kiruna A. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1979 September 26
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Aries MSMP launch abort. - .
A launch of the Multispectral Measurements Program (MSMP) at White Sands Missile Range in Nex Mexico was aborted 30 seconds before lift-off when a sensor falsely reported the nozzle was faulty. The launch was postponed until the booster could be recertified.
1980 May 21
12:08 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- TEM-2 ABM infrared / ultraviolet sensor technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 232 km (144 mi).
1980 August 18
09:50 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1980 September 20
01:30 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1981 February 4
01:10 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- IRBS (BMP) ABM infrared sensor limb characterization technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 387 km (240 mi).
1981 April 27
23:15 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1981 July 31
10:50 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1982 January 23
08:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- FIRSSE (BMP) ABM infrared sensor technology / infrared technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 378 km (234 mi).
1982 May 28
15:47 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- TEM-3 ABM infrared sensor technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 236 km (146 mi).
1982 June 18
04:45 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- 1m UVT Extreme ultraviolet astronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi).
1982 September 9
10:17 GMT - . Launch Site: Matagorda Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Conestoga 1 test - . Nation: Germany. Agency: DLR, SSI. Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Launch vehicle using surplus Minuteman I components. The launch from Matagorda Island for was for publicity purposes and unrelated to Space Service's other planned launch vehicles, also named Conestoga..
1982 September 15
04:49 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1983 October 25
11:26 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- ELC-I (infrared limb) Infrared astronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 282 km (175 mi).
1983 November 27
23:15 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1986 August 24
04:40 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.1986 September 5
16:30 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1987 July 27
Launch Site: Eareckson. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1988 August 1
Launch Site: Eareckson. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Recovery failed ABM infrared sensor technology mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
1989 July 1
Launch Site: Eareckson. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1989 July 13
08:30 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- BEAR Active plasma mission - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: SDIO.
Apogee: 195 km (121 mi).
The Beam Experiment Aboard Rocket (BEAR) payload was recovered with minimal damage via parachute after an 11-minute flight to a maximum altitude of 195 km. The neutral partical beam experiment was provided by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Attitude Control System spun-up the payload at various rates and orientations with respect to the earths magnetic field after separation from the booster. After re-entry, at 5,000 m, the nose was jettisoned and the recovery parachute system deployed. The payload impacted the ground at less than 30 feet per second. The BEAR mission was declared a total success by SDIO.
1990 April 27
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1990 July 26
05:51 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.1991 May 20
07:30 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1991 August 20
09:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC20. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.1991 October 14
10:17 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC20. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Target - . Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Type: ABM Target. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). LEAP-1. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1992 February 18
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1992 June 19
11:01 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- Technology test - . Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). LEAP-2. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1992 October 22
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure..- SPFE-3 / Orbus 1 Target - . Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Type: ABM Target. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). LEAP-3. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1993 June 22
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1993 August 28
09:45 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC36. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries. FAILURE: Failure.1994 February 25
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1995 February 12
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1995 March 4
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.1995 March 28
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- LEAP FTV-4 Target Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: BMDO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). LEAP-4. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO..
1996 July 9
Launch Site: Wallops Island. LV Family: Minuteman. Launch Vehicle: Aries.- TBM tracking test target mission - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USAF SM.
Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
The Airborne Interceptor Experiment) was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of intercepting enemy theater ballistic missiles during early-boost. The Aries Target Launch Vehicle was launched from Wallops Island, flying a boost trajectory similar to a real theater ballistic missile. The missile was detected and tracked by Air Force F-15s, Navy F-14s, an Air Force infrared sensor tracking platform and by fleet surface ships of the US Atlantic Command. The data collected was used to develop an air-launched anti-ballistic missile system.