RTV-G-4 Bumper

The RTV-G-4 Bumper was a sounding rocket built by the United States. A combination of the German V-2 rocket and the WAC Corporal sounding rocket, it was used to study problems pertaining to two-stage high-speed rockets. The Bumper program launched eight rockets between May 13, 1948, to July 29, 1950.[1] The first six flights were conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, the seventh launch, Bumper 8 on July 24, 1950, was the first rocket launched from Cape Canaveral.[2]

Bumper
Bumper 5, launched February 24, 1949
FunctionSounding rocket
ManufacturerArmy Ballistic Missile Agency
Country of originGermany/United States
Size
Height62 feet (19 m)
Diameter5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sites
Total launches8
First flightMay 13, 1948
Last flightJuly 29, 1950
First stage - V-2 rocket
Thrust27,200 kgf (267,000 N; 60,000 lbf)
Burn time60s
Propellant
Second stage Wac Corporal
Thrust6.7 kN
Burn time47s
PropellantAerojet liquid-fuel

Bumper program

The first image taken of a rocket departing from Cape Canaveral was of Bumper 8. This image has been colored and remastered.

The Bumper program was conceived in July 1946 by Colonel Holger N. Toftoy.[3] It was started on June 20, 1947, to:

  • Investigate launching techniques for a two-stage missile and separation of the two stages at high velocity.
  • Conduct limited investigation of high-speed high-altitude phenomena.
  • Attain record-setting velocities and altitudes.

Overall responsibility for the Bumper program was given to the General Electric Company and was included in the Hermes project. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory was assigned to perform the theoretical investigations required, design the second stage, and create the basic design of the separation system. The Douglas Aircraft Company was assigned to fabricate the second stage, and do detailed design and fabrication of the special V-2 rocket parts required.

Six Bumper launches, as well as other V-2 test launches, were from White Sands Proving Grounds. In 1949, the Joint Long Range Proving Ground was established at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the east coast of Florida. The July 24, 1950, Bumper 8 launch was the first of hundreds of launches from "the Cape".[2]

Launch history

Rocket numberTimeLaunch sitePadMaximum altitudeRemarks Image
1948
Bumper 1May 13, 1948White SandsPad 33127.3 km (79.1 mi)Premature cut-off of WAC 2nd stage.
Bumper 2August 19, 1948White SandsPad 3313.4 km (8.3 mi)First stage failed due to propellant flow interruption.
Bumper 3September 30, 1948White SandsPad 33150.3 km (93.4 mi)WAC stage failed.
Bumper 4November 1, 1948White SandsPad 334.8 km (3.0 mi)Explosion in tail of V-2.
1949
Bumper 5February 24, 1949White SandsPad 33393 km (244 mi)Successful flight. Separation of stages at 32.2 km (20.0 mi).
Bumper 6April 21, 1949White SandsPad 3349.9 km (31.0 mi)Premature V-2 cut-off; WAC stage failed to fire.
1950
Bumper 8July 24, 1950Cape CanaveralPad 316.1 km (10.0 mi)Low-angle atmospheric flight over 320 km (200 mi) range. First rocket launch from Cape Canaveral.
Bumper 7July 29, 1950Cape Canaveral16.1 km (10.0 mi)Low-angle atmospheric flight over 320 km (200 mi) range.

References

  1. "Bumper Project". White Sands History – Fact Sheets and Articles. US Army. Archived from the original on 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  2. "A Brief History of Rocketry". History of Manned Spaceflight. Merritt Island, Florida: Kennedy Space Center. 2000-08-24. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  3. "Biographies of Aerospace Officials and Policymakers, T-Z". NASA History Division. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.