Skip to content
79,433 pages · 13,741 images · since 1994 Browse A–Z Today in space history
Encyclopedia Astronautica The full story of spaceflight
Encyclopedia entry

Scout X-1

Launch vehicle · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Scout X1
Scout X1
Scout X1 - COSPAR 1961-Delta

American all-solid orbital launch vehicle. Four stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Algol 1B + 1 x Castor + 1 x Antares + 1 x Altair

LEO Payload: 59 kg (130 lb) to a 185 km orbit. Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 8.910 million.

Stage Data - Scout X-1

  • 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 1A. Gross Mass: 1,225 kg (2,700 lb). Empty Mass: 294 kg (648 lb). Thrust (vac): 60.497 kN (13,600 lbf). Isp: 256 sec. Burn time: 39 sec. Isp(sl): 233 sec. Diameter: 0.78 m (2.55 ft). Span: 0.78 m (2.55 ft). Length: 3.38 m (11.08 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: X-254. 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-1.

Country
USA
Spacecraft
S-56, S-55
Projects
Explorer
Agency
Vought

Chronology

7 events

1960 July 2

00:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,380 km (850 mi).

1960 October 4

15:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1.
  • Radiation Probe Plasma mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 5,600 km (3,400 mi).

1960 December 4

21:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. FAILURE: Second stage malfunction.. Failed Stage: 2.
  • Explorer (9) S 56 - . Payload: S-56. Mass: 6.00 kg (13.20 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: S-56. Decay Date: 1960-12-04 .

1961 February 16

13:05 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1.
  • Explorer 9 - . Payload: S-56A. Mass: 7.00 kg (15.40 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Atmosphere satellite. Spacecraft: S-56. Decay Date: 1964-04-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 81 . COSPAR: 1961-Delta-1. Apogee: 2,433 km (1,511 mi). Perigee: 757 km (470 mi). Inclination: 38.80 deg. Period: 118.00 min. 12 foot dia. balloon; atmospheric density studies. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

1961 June 30

17:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. FAILURE: Third stage did not ignite, and the vehicle was destroyed.. Failed Stage: 3.
  • Explorer (13) S 55 - . Payload: S-55. Mass: 84 kg (185 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Micrometeoroid satellite. Spacecraft: S-55. Decay Date: 1961-06-30 . Apogee: 172 km (106 mi). Micrometeorite counter satellite (S-55)..

1961 August 25

18:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1. FAILURE: Partial Failure.. Failed Stage: 4.
  • Explorer 13 - . Payload: S-55A. Mass: 86 kg (189 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: Explorer. Class: Earth. Type: Micrometeoroid satellite. Spacecraft: S-55. Decay Date: 1961-08-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 180 . COSPAR: 1961-Chi-1. Apogee: 1,164 km (723 mi). Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Inclination: 37.70 deg. Period: 97.50 min. Useless orbit; micrometeoroid research. Partial Failure..

1961 October 19

17:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA3. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout X-1.
  • P-21 Plasma / aeronomy mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 6,855 km (4,259 mi).