Scout X-2M

Scout X-2M was an American expendable launch system which was flown three times between May 1962 and April 1963. It was a four-stage rocket, based on the earlier Scout X-2, but with an MG-18 upper stage instead of the Altair used on the X-2. It was a member of the Scout family of rockets.

Scout X-2M
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerVought
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height22 metres (72 ft)
Diameter1.02 metres (3 ft 4 in)
Mass17,000 kilograms (37,000 lb)
StagesFour
Associated rockets
FamilyScout
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesPoint Arguello LC-D
Total launches3
Success(es)1
Failure(s)2
First flight1962-05-24
Last flight1963-04-26
First stage – Algol 1D
Engines1 solid
Thrust440 kilonewtons (99,000 lbf)
Burn time44 seconds
FuelSolid
Second stage – Castor 1A
Engines1 solid
Thrust286 kilonewtons (64,000 lbf)
Specific impulse247 sec
Burn time27 seconds
FuelSolid
Third stage – Antares 2A
Engines1 X-254
Thrust93 kilonewtons (21,000 lbf)
Specific impulse293 sec
Burn time36 seconds
FuelSolid
Fourth stage – MG-18
Engines1 Solid
FuelSolid

The Scout X-2 was an all-solid rocket, with an Algol 1D first stage, a Castor 1A second stage, an Antares 2A third stage, and an MG-18 fourth stage. It was launched from Launch Complex D at Point Arguello, and was used for the launch of P-35 weather satellites.

The first Scout X-2M was launched 24 May 1962, carrying P35-1, but failed to reach orbit. The second flight, launched at 11:44 GMT on 23 August, was the only successful launch to be made by an X-2M, placing P35-2 into low Earth orbit. The final launch, with P35-4 occurred on 26 April 1963, and like the first flight, it failed to reach orbit.

References
    • Wade, Mark. "Scout". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
    • Krebs, Gunter. "Scout". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
    • McDowell, Jonathan. "Scout". Orbital & Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
    • Heyman, Jos; Parsch, Andreas (2007-07-09). "LTV SLV-1 Scout". Appendix 3: Space Vehicles. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Retrieved 2009-07-03.


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