Nike-Apache
{{Short description|Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA}}
{{Infobox rocket
|image = Nike-Apache on USNS Croatan.jpg
|caption = A Nike-Apache aboard USNS Croatan
|name = Nike-Apache
|function = Sounding rocket
|manufacturer = Aerolab/Atlantic Research
|country-origin = United States
|cpl = $6,000 USD
|height = {{convert|8.31|m|abbr=on}}
|diameter = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}
|mass = {{convert|760|kg|abbr=on}}
|stages = Two
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}}
|kilos = {{convert|45.4|kg|abbr=on}}
}}
|status = Retired
|sites = Multiple
|launches = 636
|first = 17 February 1961
|last = 27 September 1978
|stagedata =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = First
|name = Nike
|number = One
|diameter = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}
|engines = 1 x ABL M5
|solid = yes
|thrust = {{convert|217|kN|abbr=on}}
|burntime = 3.5 s
|fuel = solid
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|type = stage
|stageno = Second
|name = Apache
|number = One
|diameter = {{convert|0.203|m|abbr=on}}
|engines = 1 x Thiokol TE-307-2
|solid = yes
|thrust = {{convert|21.1|kN|abbr=on}}
|burntime = 6 s
|fuel = solid
}}
}}
The Nike Apache, also known as Argo B-13, was a two-stage sounding rocket developed by Aerolab, later Atlantic Research, for use by the United States Air Force and NASA. It became the standard NASA sounding rocket and was launched over 600 times between 1961 and 1978.
Development
The TE-307-2 Apache rocket motor was developed by Thiokol as an improvement of its Cajun series of rockets; the Apache was similar in appearance to Cajun, but had an improved propellant that allowed for better performance. Combined with a M5 Nike rocket booster for its first stage by Aerolab,{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/nike-apache.html|title=Atlantic Research (Aerolab) Nike-Apache|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=12 July 2004|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}{{Cite web |title=Nike Apache |url=http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeapache.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.astronautix.com}} the Nike-Apache sounding rocket was capable of lifting {{convert|100|lb}} of instruments to an apogee of {{convert|100|mi}}.{{cite book|last=Corliss|first=William R.|authorlink=William R. Corliss|title=NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968: A Historical Summary|series=NASA Historical Report Series|volume=SP-4401|year=1971|publisher=NASA Scientific and Technical Information Office|location=Washington, D.C.|page=82|asin=B0006C0SRW}}
Operational history
The first launch of Nike-Apache was conducted by the United States Air Force on 17 February 1961.{{Cite web |title=Atlantic Research Nike-Apache |url=https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/nike-apache.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.designation-systems.net}} Popular due to its low cost (US$6,000){{cite book|author=Space Science Board|title=Space Research: Directions for the Future|publisher=National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council|location=Washington, D.C.|year=1966|asin=B001KUTZJG|page=376}} and ability to be fired from many locales, 636 launches were conducted between 1961 and 1978, with the final launch of a Nike-Apache taking place in September 1978.
The Nike Apache was used to carry a variety of payloads to study a wide range of topics including radio astronomy, meteorology, aeronomy, atmospheric conditions, plasma physics, and solar physics.
NASA flew them from Brazil, Canada, India, Norway, Pakistan, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, all across the US, and off of the converted escort carrier {{USNS|Croatan|T-AKV-43|6}}.{{cite book|last=Howard|first=David|title=Astronautics Year: An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964|publisher=Pergamon Press|location=Oxford, England|year=1965|page=159|asin=B01DT2D31I}} Nike Apache was the first rocket launched by India from the TERLS (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station) of Kerala in November 1963.{{cite magazine|last=Pandey|first=B. K.|date=July–September 2010|title=Space: the emerging battleground|magazine=Indian Defence Review|publisher=Indian Defence Review|location=New Delhi|volume=25|issue=3|page=22|issn=0970-2512}}
The Nike-Apache configuration was also used by one variation of the U.S. Army's MQR-13 BMTS target rocket.{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/r-13.html|title=USAMICOM MQR-13 BMTS|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=22 October 2002|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat-inline|Nike Apache}}
- [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19670015760 Nike-Apache rocket performance handbook] at NASA Technical Reports Server
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161026014209/http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeapache.html Nike Apache] at Encyclopedia Astronautica
{{Nike rockets}}