Argo D-4
The four-stage sounding rocket Argo D-4 was developed for the US Air Force as a replacement for the Argo E-5 (Jason) and was named Javelin . Like the Jason, it was used to measure radiation after atomic bomb explosions at great heights. The operating altitude has been increased by 300 km to 1100 km compared to the Jason.
It was launched 82 times between 1959 and 1976 .
Technical specifications
The first stage was taken from the Honest John missile . The second and third stages were Nike stages. The fourth and fifth stages of the Jason were replaced by an Altair X-248 from the Vanguard project .
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| First flight | July 7, 1959 |
| Manufacturer | Aerolab |
| length | 14.85 m |
| diameter | 1st step: 58 cm 2nd / 3rd Step: 42 cm 4th step: 48 cm |
| Takeoff weight | 3430 kg |
| Top speed | Do 18.5 |
| apogee | 1,100 km |
| drive | 1st stage: ABL M6 solid fuel rocket; Thrust: 365 kN for 5 s 2nd / 3rd. Stage: ABL M5 solid rocket; Thrust: 217 kN for 3.4 s 4th stage: ABL X-248 Altair solid fuel rocket; Thrust: 14 kN for 40 s |
| payload | 60 kg |
Web links
- Javelin (Argo D-4) in the Encyclopedia Astronautica (English)