Aries (rocket)

Aries is an American sounding rocket and target rocket, developed by Space Vector Corporation from retired LGM-30 Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) stages for use by the United States Air Force and NASA. Taken over by Orbital Sciences Corporation, Aries, as the Target Test Vehicle, remains in use.

Not to be confused with Ares (rocket).

Aries

Launch of an Aries Target Test Vehicle in 1991
Function	Sounding rocket; target vehicle
Manufacturer	Space Vector Corporation Orbital Sciences Corporation
Country of origin	United States
Size
Height	10.62 m (34.8 ft)
Diameter	1.13 m (3 ft 8 in)
Mass	7,150 kg (15,760 lb)
Stages	One
Payload to 320 km (200 mi)	820 kg (1,810 lb)
Launch history
Status	Operational
Launch sites	Multiple
First flight	17 October 1973
First stage – Minuteman I
Diameter	1.13 m (3 ft 8 in)
Motor	1 x Aerojet M56
Thrust	207 kN (47,000 lbf)
Burn time	62 s
Fuel	solid

Design and development

In the late 1960s, the retirement of the LGM-30 Minuteman I ICBM resulted in the opportunity to produce a high-performance sounding rocket from the surplus solid-propellant rockets that became available; the Naval Research Laboratory awarded a contract to Space Vector Corporation in 1971[1] to develop the "Fat Albert" rocket using the surplus Minuteman I first stages; before the first launch, the name of the rocket was changed to the "more dignified" Aries.[2]

Aries consisted of an Aerojet M56 solid-fuel rocket, the second stage of the Minuteman I, fitted with an aerodynamic nose cone and four tail fins, taken from the RIM-8 Talos surface-to-air missile, for stabilization. Steering was by gimbaled thrust; Aries retained its guidance system, redesigned for use as a sounding rocket, allowing for more precise flight paths and use of smaller rocket ranges than other sounding rockets required;[1] however, its size meant it required a more substantial launch platform than conventional sounding rockets.[3] Payloads of 820 kilograms (1,810 lb) could be lifted to apogees of over 320 kilometres (200 mi) by Aries; the maximum payload capable of being carried was 1,590 kilograms (3,510 lb), and an apogee of 512 kilometres (318 mi) was achieved on one flight.[1]

Operational history

The first launch of Aries, carrying a dummy payload, took place on 17 October 1973; following the first two test launches, the Talos stabilizing fins were replaced by a fins of a new design, and the skirt surrounding the rocket engine nozzles was modified. Aries entered operational service, being used on over 20 flights to launch payloads such as X-ray telescopes and ultraviolet telescopes that were too heavy to be lifted by conventional sounding rockets.[1] Payloads could be recovered using a two-stage parachute system.[3]

In addition to its use as a sounding rocket, Aries was adapted for use as a target rocket to be used in the testing of anti-ballistic missiles. Contracted with Orbital Sciences Corporation for production in this role and designated the Target Test Vehicle (TTV), as of 2004, over 50 target launches had taken place, primarily testing the United States Navy's RIM-156 SM-2 Extended Range and RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 missiles;[1] the missile remains in service.

References

Citations

1. Parsch 2005
2. Dickson 2009, pp. 24–25.
3. EIS 1998, pp. 2–44

Bibliography

• Dickson, Pauk (2009). A Dictionary of the Space Age. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-9115-1.
• Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Sounding Rocket Program. Wallops Island, VA: Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility. 1998. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
• Parsch, Andreas (5 October 2005). "Orbital Sciences (Space Vector) Aries". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles. Designation-Systems. Retrieved 2017-12-10.

External links

• Aries at Encyclopedia Astronautica