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Cruise missile (designation numbering series) (Russian abbreviation)
P 11.
American technology satellite. One launch, 1963.03.18, P-11.
P 72.
American military technology satellite. One launch, 1975.04.13. Unknown satellite lost on a single Atlas launch failure. Evidently not repeated.
P 76.
American communications technology satellite. One launch, 1976.05.22. Communications propagation experiments.
P 90.
Code name for APEX technology satellite.
P-10.
Alternate designation for SSBS S01-2, MSBS M2-1, and MSBS M112-1 rocket stage.
Russian intercontinental cruise missile. Family of sea- or silo- launched Mach 3.5 cruise missiles with ranges up to intercontinental distances.
P-14.
American solar satellite. 3 launches, 1961.02.24 (Explorer) to 1961.05.24 (Explorer). Magnetic field data.
P-16.
Alternate designation for SSBS S3-1 rocket stage.
Russian intermediate range cruise missile. Development of a family of long-range cruise missiles was begun in 1956 by Ilyushin. The P-205 was a land-based strategic cruise missile based on the P-20 antiship missile. The land-launch version was developed for the VVS in 1958-1960. There were two submarine projects for the missile, 627A and 653, both designed by OKB-143. Construction of the 627A submarine began at Severodvinsk, but the work on the submarine was cancelled in November 1961.
P230.
SNPE solid rocket engine. 6472.3 kN. In production. Isp=286s. Used on Ariane 5 launch vehicle. First flight 1996.
P241.
Alternate designation for Ariane 5 EAP rocket stage.
P241.
SEP solid rocket engine. 6470 kN. In development. Isp=275s. First flight 2002.
P320.
Rocketdyne, Friedrichshafen lox/lh2 rocket engine. Development. Launch thrust 129 kN. BORD 1/P320 BOELKOW (Germany)/Rocketdyne Technology. Pressure-fed.
P4.
SNPE solid rocket engine. 176.5 kN. Out of Production. Isp=273s. Used on Diamant B launch vehicle. First flight 1970.
P-4.
Alternate designation for Diamant BP-2 rocket stage.
Rocketdyne Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. 2.441 kN. AQM-37. Target System Booster. Pressure-fed. Isp=232s. First flight 1963.
Rocketdyne Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. 0.470 kN. AQM-37. Target System Sustainer. Pressure-fed. Isp=262s. First flight 1963.
UM-USAF electric/xenon rocket engine. 246 mN. Isp=2326s. 5 kW Hall thruster for research purposes.
P6.
SNPE solid rocket engine for Diamant launcher. 29.4 kN. Out of production. Isp=211s. First flight 1965.
P-6.
Alternate designation for Diamant-3 and Diamant B-3 rocket stage.
P-6.
Russian intermediate range cruise missile.
P-7.
Rocketdyne N2O4/Aerozine-50 rocket engine. Launch thrust 222.31 kN. Aspen Booster. Pressure-fed. Thrust from 12,000 lb to 50,000 lb at sea level.
Russian intermediate range cruise missile. IOC in 1988 est 1992+. SS-C-5 GLCM banned in INF.
Hughes electric/xenon rocket engine. 0.14 mN. Flown in 1979. Isp=350s. The thruster for the Scatha experiment consisted of one electron bombardment engines using xenon propellant.
P80.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 95,000/7,000 kg. Thrust 3,040.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 279.5 seconds. Vega's first stage, the P80 solid rocket motor, introduced advanced low-cost technologies that could be reused for future evolutions of Ariane-5 boosters.
P80.
Fiat-Avio solid rocket engine. 3040 kN. In production. Isp=279s. Vega's first stage, introduced advanced low-cost technologies that could be reused for future evolutions of Ariane-5 boosters.
P87-2.
Alternate designation for Stacksat P87-2 technology satellite.
Rocketdyne Nitric acid/UDMH rocket engine. Lance. Launch thrust 205.44 kN. Lance Booster and Sustainer System. Pressure-fed. Sustainer 4400 -14,400 lbf, 227 sec Isp. Thrust and specific impulse values are at sea level. First flight 1972.
P9.5.
SNPE solid rocket engine. 690 kN. Isp=263s. Strap-on booster engine for Ariane 42P, Ariane 44LP, Ariane 44P. First flight 1988.
P9.5.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 12,560/3,060 kg. Thrust 689.99 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 263 seconds.
P91-1.
Alternate designation for ARGOS ion engine technology satellite.
PA.
Pad abort
Argentinan manufacturer of spacecraft. Pablo De Leon, Argentina.
Pabst, Otto German expert in ram jets during World War II. As of January 1947, living at Bremen or Kirch-Horston nr Bad Eilson.
PAC.
American technology satellite. One launch, 1969.08.09. Package Attitude Control; semi-active gravity gradient stabilization tests.
American anti-ballistic missile. In EMD. PAC-3 version has limited Theater Ballistic Missile Defense capability.
Pace.
Pace, Frank (1912-1988) American manager, Secretary of the Army, 1950-1953, president of General Dynamics 1953-1962. During his tenure General Dynamics acquired Convair and other companies and became a leading defense and space contractor.
Pacific American Launch Systems.
American manufacturer of rockets. Pacific American Launch Systems, USA.
Sounding rocket launches made from naval vessels in the Pacific accounted for 280 launches from 1949 to 2006, reaching up to 1000 kilometers altitude.
Padalka, Gennadi Ivanovich (1958-) Russian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Mir EO-26, ISS EO-9, ISS EO-19. 585 cumulative days in space.
Category of missiles.
PAET.
American military technology satellite. One launch, 1971.06.20. Suborbital.
Paetz, Robert Heinrich Karl (1909-1998) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Page.
Page, Edgar (1935-) Irish physicist who specialized in cosmic ray research at the ESRO, 1965-1975. Headed ESA's space science department 1976-1986. From 1986, served as science coordinator for the Ulysses spacecraft mission.
American earth geodetic satellite. 3 launches, 1966.06.24 (Pageos 1) to (Pageos canister half). 100 foot diameter. balloon.
Pailes, William Arthur (1952-) American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut. Flew on STS-51-J.
Paine, Thomas O (1921-1992) American engineer, at General Electric, then NASA Administrator 1968-1970. His ambitious post-Apollo programs were not received well by the Nixon administration.
American sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Paiute + 1 x Apache
Solid rocket stage. 186.00 kN (41,814 lbf) thrust. Mass 300 kg (661 lb).
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 100 kg. Thrust 21.00 kN.
American sounding rocket. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Paiute + 1 x Tomahawk
Pak.
Pak, Zinoviy Petrovich Russian engineer. General Director of LNPO Soyuz 1989-1996. Leading designer in the chemistry and technology of solid rocket propellants.
Pakhomov, A K Russian VVS Test pilot. Russian rocketplane pilot.
Pakistan
Pakistan Army.
Palaoro, Hans Rudolf (1919-1994) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Indonesia's domestic communications satellite system. Palapas, stationed in geosynchronous orbit, provide voice circuits and television to the country's 6000+ inhabited islands.
Russian communications satellite. Study 1993. The Pallada network was devised by the Moscow Radio Communications Research Institute for Commonwealth of Independent States communications services, including voice, telegraph, fax, and data transmissions.
Pallo, Vladimir Vladimirovich Russian engineer. Deputy Chief Designer of Chelomei Bureau Filial 1. Led work on the DOS and Salyut stations.
Israeli coastal missile test site from which the Shavit satellite launch vehicle is also launched. A due-west launch over the Mediterranean is required to avoid overflying Arab countries, resulting in unique orbital inclinations and directions.
The site was known to have been used for 40 launches from 1987 to 2007.
Arrow launch complex. Sea Launch Area, Palmachim Beach
Shavit pad, Palmachim Beach
Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 8 launches from 1960 to 1961, reaching up to 16 kilometers altitude.
Palo Alto.
First name of Skynet
American manufacturer of rockets. Palo Alto, Palo Alto, California, USA.
PAM.
Payload Assist Module
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 2,141/232 kg. Thrust 67.16 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 292 seconds.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 3,697/431 kg. Thrust 107.20 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 282 seconds.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 10 launches from 1965 to 2005, reaching up to 191 kilometers altitude.
PAMS.
American technology satellite. One launch, 1996.05.19. Passive attitude control technology test. Deployed from shuttle STS-77 on 5/22/96; Re-entered Oct 26.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 2,182/220 kg. Thrust 66.60 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 288 seconds.
PAN.
Classified communications satellite, perhaps providing services for the CIA to replace channels hosted on the US Navy's UHF Follow-On series. Stationed in geostationary orbit at 34 deg E.
Pan Zhanchun Chinese PLAAF Pilot. In the 05/2003 issue of Fliegerrevue, this was one of 12 new names listed as Chinese astronauts in training.
American manufacturer of spacecraft. Panaero, USA.
Panama
Pan American Satellite, in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA, was founded in 1984 as part of Alpha Lyracom. It orbited a series of communications satellites providing television broadcast to the US and Latin American markets. In 1996 it merged with Hughes Galaxy.
American agency. Panamsat Inc. , Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Panchenko, Yevgeniy Ivanovich (1927-) Russian officer. Lieutenant General, First Deputy Chief of Main Directorate of NKS 1986-1987.
Norwegian hybrid single stage sounding rocket based on Lockheed Martin's HYSR technology.
PAO.
Public Affairs Office
American manned rescue spacecraft. Study 1963. The Douglas Paracone was one of the most minimal schemes for bail-out from orbit. The objective was to hit a continental land mass; for such purposes totally manual re-entry operations were used.
British agency. Paradigm, UK.
Brazilian manufacturer of spacecraft. Parana, Brazil.
Parazynski, Dr Scott Edward (1961-) American physician mission specialist astronaut, 1992-2009. Flew on STS-66, STS-86, STS-95, STS-100, STS-120.
PARCAE.
Alternate designation for NOSS military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
Parin, Vasili Vasilyevich (1903-1971) Russian physician. Director of IMBP 1965-1969. A leading space medicine specialist.
German gun-launched missile. The Paris Gun of World War I could hurl a 120 kg shell with 7 kg of explosive to a range of 131 km and an altitude of 40 km.
Parise, Dr Ronald Anthony 'Ron' (1951-2008) American astronomer payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-35, STS-67.
Parker, Dr Robert Alan Ridley 'Bob' (1936-) American astronomer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-9, STS-35.
Parker Bertea.
A temporary orbit in which a vehicle coasts before transfer into final orbit or trajectory.
Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Parks, Robert J (1922-) American engineer, worked on the Mariner, Ranger, and Surveyor programs; served as JPL's planetary program director in the 1960s, then became JPL associate and finally deputy director.
Parmitano, Luca Salvo (1976-) Italian pilot mission specialist astronaut, 2009-on.
Russian logistics spacecraft. Study 2009. In its latest iteration, RKK Energia's Parom was a reusable interorbital tug intended to transport cargo containers and the Kliper manned ferry from low earth orbit to the International Space Station.
Parsons, John Marvel Whiteside 'Jack' (1914-1952) American rocket pioneer; co-founder of Aerojet, inventor of solid rocket propellant and American inventor of the storable liquid rocket. Dabbled in the occult, expelled from Aerojet on DoD orders. Killed mixing rocket fuel in his garage.
Parsons, John F (1908-1969) American engineer, at NASA 1931-1956, led design, construction, and operation of wind tunnels at Ames.
Russian navigation satellite. Operational, first launch 1974.12.26. Military satellite which provided navigation information and store-dump radio communications to Soviet naval forces and ballistic missile submarines.
PAS.
PanAmSat Inc., USA
Pashkov, Georgi Nikolayevich (1911-) Russian government official. Deputy Chairman of Military-Industrial Commission 1957-1970. Worked in Gosplan Second Department 1946-1955.
Passive Aerodynamically Stabilized Magnetically Damped Satellite.
Alternate designation for PAMS technology satellite.
Passive communications satellite.
Category of spacecraft.
Patat, Frederic (1958-) French physician payload specialist astronaut, 1985-1998. Degree in Acoustic Physics from the University of Paris (1981). Ph.D. in engineering (1984). Doctorate of medicine, 1991. Worked at the medical faculty of the University of Tours.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 100,000/30,000 kg. Thrust 833.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 350 seconds. Masses estimated based on performance, propellant load.
American manned spaceplane. Study 2003. Pioneer Rocketplane planned in the late 1990's to produce the Pathfinder aerial propellant transfer spaceplane.
American air-launched winged orbital launch vehicle. Pioneer Rocketplane planned in the late 1990's to produce the Pathfinder aerial-refueled spaceplane. The two-seat fighter-bomber-sized aircraft was to be powered by two turbofan engines and one kerosene/oxygen-burning RD-120 rocket engine. After takeoff from a conventional airfield, it would rendezvous with a tanker, top off its liquid oxygen tanks, and then rocket to Mach 15 and 110 km altitude. There it would release an upper rocket stage that would boost a 2100 kg payload to orbit. Pathfinder itself would return to the airfield for refueling and reuse.
Russian manufacturer.
Paton, Boris Yevgenyevich (1918-) Russian engineer. Director of Institute of Electrical Welding from 1953. Developed equipment for N1 fabrication and the Vulkan space welding unit.
Patrick, Nicholas James MacDonald (1964-) British-American engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-116, STS-130.
Patrick AFB.
Alternate name for Cape Canaveral launch site.
Patriot.
Popular Name of MIM-104A missile.
American surface-to-air missile. Standard Army surface-to-air missile. Later versions had anti-tactical missile capability.
Standard Army surface-to-air missile. Later versions had anti-tactical missile capability.
Patsayev, Viktor Ivanovich (1933-1971) Russian engineer cosmonaut. Civilian Engineer, Korolev OKB. Flew on Soyuz 11. Member of first crew to stay aboard a space station, however perished during landing. A street in Kaluga and Asteroid 1791 were named for him.
Patt.
Patt, Kurt Paul Erich (1913-1969) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Patterson, William Howell (1917-1999) American engineer. Part of the Atlas management team.
Pauer, Walter (1887-) German thermodynamics expert; worked in the Soviet Union after WW2.
Paul.
Paul, Hans (1909-1980) German engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the United States thereafter.
Paup.
Paup, John W (1923-1968) American North American engineer who managed their winning Apollo proposal and was the company's Apollo program manager 1961-1964. Replaced under NASA pressure, he died in 1968 before his spacecraft made it to the moon.
Pawelczyk, James Anthony 'Jim' (1960-) American physiologist payload specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-90. Candidate Payload Specialist for STS-90 Neurolab.
Payette, Julie (1963-) Canadian engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-96, STS-127. Engineer. Second Canadian female astronaut.
American target missile. Launch vehicle using surplus missile motors. PLV was part of the Boeing Lead System Integration (LSI) effort on the National Missile Defense (NMD) program. Lockheed Martin was the manufacturer and prime integrator. PLV used elements first seen on the ERIS program.
Requirement: technicians to operate specific payloads on shuttle missions.
Astronauts trained for spaceflight but for only support of a specific payload on a single space mission.
Payton, Gary Eugene (1948-) American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut. Flew on STS-51-C.
PBAA.
Copolymer of polybutadiene and acrylic acid
PBAN.
Polybutadiene Acrylic Acid Acrylonitril Terpolymer
PBS.
N2O4/MMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 1,000 kg. Thrust 1.40 kN.
PC-2.
Manufacturer's designation for Babylon Gun gun-launched orbital launch vehicle.
Pchela.
Code name for Strela-2 military store-dump communications satellite.
PCM.
Pulse Code Modulation.
Pulse code modulation master unit, 'puck-a-moo' when spoken
PDP.
American earth magnetosphere satellite. One launch, 1985.07.29. Plasma Diagnostics Package; released by STS 51F 8/1/85, retrieved 8/2/85.
PDS.
Planetary Data System
Peace-1.
Alternate designation for T-7A sounding rocket.
American intercontinental ballistic missile. 10 nuclear MIRV warheads. In service 1986-2004.
Thiokol solid rocket engine. 2204.5 kN. In Production. MX Stage 1. Used as first stage of Taurus launch vehicle for initial test. Isp=282s.
N2O4/MMH rocket stage. 11.80 kN (2,653 lbf) thrust. Mass 1,300 kg (2,866 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 1711.00 kN (384,648 lbf) thrust. Mass 53,400 kg (117,727 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 1365.00 kN (306,864 lbf) thrust. Mass 27,800 kg (61,289 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 329.00 kN (73,962 lbf) thrust. Mass 8,200 kg (18,078 lb).
Peake, Timothy Nagel (1972-) British pilot mission specialist astronaut, 2009-on.
Pearl and Rogue Go For a Ride.
Poem: Dec 21st 1960 A clear night illuminated by the moon....
PED.
Personnel equipment data
American sounding rocket. Air Launch Probe System (ALPS) and Fighter Launched Advanced Materials Experiment (FLAME) were both vehicles that used a Pedro first stage and a Recruit second stage. They were launched from an F-4 fighter aircraft.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Thrust 244.00 kN.
First launch site in the world, used for development of the V-1, A-4/V-2, Wasserfall, and other missiles. Among many major facilities, engine test stands were built that were capable of accommodating planned engines for the A-10 intercontinental missile. 296 known launches were made from the site between 1937 and 1945.
V-2, Wasserfall launch complex. Greifswalder Oie
V-2, A4b launch complex. Launch Site P10
V-2 launch complex.
V-2 launch complex.
V-2 launch complex. Test Stand P7
V-2 launch complex.
V-2 launch complex. Kalrshagen
V-2 launch complex.
Peery, David J (1914-) American engineer. Influential aerospace structures engineer; proved integrity of Atlas balloon tank.
French sounding rocket. 2 stage vehicle with larger booster and Belier upper stage. Evidently not flown.
Privately-funded, air-launched winged light satellite launcher.
American earth micrometeoroid satellite. 3 launches, 1965.02.16 (Pegasus 1) to 1965.07.30 (Pegasus 3). Pegasus satellites consisted of vast detector panels deployed from Saturn IV stages on Saturn I test flights.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Privately-funded, air-launched winged light satellite launcher.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Four stage vehicle consisting of 1 x L-1011 + 1 x Orion 50S + 1 x Orion 50 + 1 x Orion 38
xLox/LH2 propellant rocket drop tank. Loaded/empty mass 20,000/3,700 kg. Vacuum specific impulse 459 seconds.Four tanks jettisoned at 130 seconds after liftoff; two at 250 seconds, last two at orbital insertion, 360 seconds after liftoff.
Lox/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 1,250,000/148,000 kg. Thrust 23,947.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 459 seconds. Empty mass includes 29,600 kg of propellants used for re-entry cooling of plug nozzle and rocket soft landing at landing field.
American manned spacecraft. Study 1966. Bono design for semi-single-stage-to-orbit ballistic VTOVL launch vehicle.
American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Bono design for semi-single-stage-to-orbit ballistic VTOVL launch vehicle. Drop tanks were shed on the way to orbit. Pegasus could deliver either a Satun V-size payload to LEO or 172 passengers and their luggage the 12,000 km from Vandenberg to Singapore in 39 minutes.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Uprated version of Pegasus air-launched winged light satellite launcher. 4 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x L-1011 + 1 x Pegasus XL stage 1 + 1 x Orion 50XL + 1 x Orion 38.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Five stage version consisting of 1 x L-1011 + 1 x Pegasus XL stage 1 + 1 x Orion 50XL + 1 x Orion 38 + 1 x HAPS
Hercules solid rocket engine. 589 kN. Isp=293s. Used on Pegasus XL launch vehicle. First flight 1994.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 4,331/416 kg. Thrust 153.50 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 290 seconds.
Hercules solid rocket engine. 153.5 kN. Isp=290s. Used on Pegasus XL launch vehicle. First flight 1994.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Five stage version consisting of 1 x NB-52 + 1 x Orion 50S + 1 x Orion 50 + 1 x Orion 38 + 1 x HAPS
Hercules solid rocket engine family. Used on Pegasus, Taurus.
Hercules solid rocket engine. 484.9 kN. Isp=285s. Used on Pegasus, Taurus. First flight 1989.
Hercules solid rocket engine family. Used on Pegasus, Taurus.
Hercules solid rocket engine. 118.2 kN. Isp=290s. Used on Pegasus, Taurus. First flight 1989.
Hercules solid rocket engine. 34.6 kN. Isp=287s. Upper stage engine for Pegasus, Pegasus XL, Taurus. First flight 1989.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 985/203 kg. Thrust 34.57 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 293 seconds.
Hydrazine propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 90/17 kg. Thrust 0.67 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 236 seconds.
American earth magnetosphere satellite. One launch, 1990.04.05. Chemical release experiment.
Pehle, Max (1913-) German measurement technician in WW2, worked in the Soviet Union thereafter. One of the group that fired V-2 rockets at Kapustin Yar in 1946.
Argentinan technology satellite. One launch, 2007.01.10. Experimental satellite developed by the Universidad Nacional del Comahue and AMSAT-LU. The satellte remained attached to the PSLV's Dual Launch Adapter.
Pekdosan-1.
Alternate designation for Taepodong 1 orbital launch vehicle.
Pelczak, Oldrich 'Olda' (1943-) Czech pilot cosmonaut, 1976-1978. Graduated from Air Force Academy of the Soviet Union Engineer, Czechoslovak Air Force.
Pellerin, Charles J American physicist, at NASA 1974-1994. Director of Astrophysics in NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications 1983-1992; Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Quality 1992-1994.
Russian anti-zero-G suit, tested 1975. Prophylactic Body-Loading Suit, in use from 1978-; looked like the standard Russian blue in-flight suit, but had additional elastic bands and pulleys that created artificial force against which the body could work.
Pentaborane (B5H9) was considered as a high performance fuel in the US in the 1950's. Its development was pursued with some vigour by Glushko in Russia during the 1960's. But like the other fluorine and boron motors of the time, it presented too many handling and safety problems to be adopted as a flight engine.
French communications satellite. One launch, 1970.12.12. Gathered data from meteorological balloon system.
PEP.
Program Evaluation Procedure
UM-JPL electric rocket engine. 1 kW Hall thruster, SPT type
Pepping, Raymond Austin (1918-) American engineer. Headed the Mercury, Gemini, and Skylab programs at McDonnell Saint Louis
Peralta y Fabi, Ricardo (1950-) Mexican engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1985. Research scientist at National University in Mexico City. Selected as backup for STS-61B, but mission cancelled after Challenger disaster.
American low cost orbital launch vehicle. Low cost commercial test vehicle. First test failed and satellite launch project sank for lack of further investors and customers.
That point on the trajectory of an orbiting body which is nearest the Earth when the Earth is the center of attraction. Also, used in connection with orbits of celestial bodies around other celestial bodies.
Fourth Academy solid rocket engine. 222.840 kN. In Production. Isp=280s. Basic perigee kick motor for CZ-2E launch vehicle. Featured glass fibre-wound case, HTPB propellant, 3-D finocyl propellant grain, and carbon/carbon throat insert. First flight 1990.
The point in a lunar-centric orbit which is closest to the Moon.
Perimeter.
Alternate Designation of Perimetr 15A11 strategic communications missile.
Ukrainian strategic communications missile. Perimetr was developed for launch of a highly secret communications payload. This would be be put in orbit or on a long high-altitude trajectory to provide back-up command and control of the strategic forces in the event of nuclear war.
Solid rocket stage. 142.00 kN (31,923 lbf) thrust. Mass 10,000 kg (22,046 lb).
N2O4/UDMH rocket stage. 1236.00 kN (277,864 lbf) thrust. Mass 59,000 kg (130,073 lb).
Perkin, Richard S (1906-1969) American Manager. Richard S. Perkin was co-founder ad president of Perkin-Elmer Corp., 1937-1960, and then chairman of the board.
American manufacturer of spacecraft. Perkin Elmer, USA.
Perrin, Philippe (1963-) French test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-111. Grew up in Avignon, Provence.
Pershing.
Popular Name of Pershing 1 intermediate range ballistic missile.
American US Army intermediate range ballistic missile.
US Army tactical missile, the first and only solid-fueled Medium Range Ballistic Missile deployed by the U.S. Army. It was in service for almost 30 years until all nuclear MRBMs were phased out and destroyed according to arms reduction treaties.
American intermediate range ballistic missile.
American intermediate range ballistic missile.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 2,000 kg. Thrust 117.00 kN.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 2,000 kg. Thrust 85.00 kN.
Pershing 1B.
Popular Name of MGM-31D intermediate range ballistic missile.
American intermediate range ballistic missile. Cancelled
Thiokol, Hercules solid rocket engine. 172 kN.
Thiokol, Hercules solid rocket engine. 134 kN.
Solid rocket stage. 172.00 kN (38,667 lbf) thrust. Mass 4,100 kg (9,039 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 134.00 kN (30,124 lbf) thrust. Mass 2,600 kg (5,732 lb).
Pershing IA.
Popular Name of Pershing 1A intermediate range ballistic missile.
Pershing II.
Popular Name of Pershing 2 intermediate range ballistic missile.
Personal Rescue Enclosure.
Alternate designation for Rescue Ball manned rescue spacecraft.
Peru.
Peru
Indonesian agency. Perumtel, Indonesia.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1961-1993. Base for units deployed with 90 light ICBM (UR-100/UR-100N) silos and later 46 mobile RT-23 launchers.
Pesquet, Thomas (1978-) French engineer mission specialist astronaut, 2009-on.
Peters, Heinrich German expert in aeronautical research during World War II. As of January 1947, working at Munich.
Petersen, Karl German expert in guided missiles during World War II.
Petersen, Forrest Silas 'Pete' (1922-1990) American test pilot, 1952-1962. Flew the X-15.
Peterson, Dr Donald Herod 'Don' (1933-) American test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-6.
Peterson, Bruce A (1933-2006) American test pilot, 1960-1967. Flew M2 lifting body, assigned to management after injury in a landing accident.
Petrel.
Alternate designation for Petrel 1 sounding rocket.
British sounding rocket. Petrel was a larger sounding rocket built by Bristol Aerojet using the same tube-launch technique as Skua. A total of 240 Petrels were launched from 1967-1982 from many sites around the world.
Petrel was a larger sounding rocket built by Bristol Aerojet using the same tube-launch technique as Skua. A total of 240 Petrels were launched from 1967-1982 from many sites around the world.
British sounding rocket. Petrel was a larger sounding rocket built by Bristol Aerojet using the same launch technique as Skua. Three Chick rockets blasted the upper stage and payload out of a 10-m long launch tube. The 4.5 kN Lapwing second stage burned for 30 seconds. A unique aspect was that the Chick boosters could be recovered and reloaded with propellant.
British sounding rocket. Improved Petrel using four Chick boosters and a lengthened Lapwing second stage which provide 4.5 kN thrust for 40 seconds. Petrel 2's were also fired as targets for missile tests at Woomera.
Solid rocket stage. 4.50 kN (1,012 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 60.00 kN (13,489 lbf) thrust.
Solid rocket stage. 4.50 kN (1,012 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
Base for units deployed with six Pioner missile launchers.
Petrone, Rocco (1926-2006) American engineer, managed development of the Redstone at Huntsivlle, then the Saturn V at NASA, 1960-1974.
Petrov, Boris Nikolayevich (1913-1980) Russian engineer, Department Chief 1951-1980 of the Institute of Control Problems, chair of the Inter-Cosmos Council, which promoted cooperation in space among eastern European nations during the height of the Cold War, 1966-1980.
Petrov, Georgi Ivanovich (1912-1987) Russian scientist. Director of Institute of Space Research 1965-1973. Conducted aerodynamic research at NII-1 before being named Director.
Petrov, Vladimir Petrovich Russian engineer. Head and Chief Designer of the GSKB design bureau 1951-1963.
Petrovskiy, Boris Vasilyevich (1908-) Russian physician. Minister of Health from 1965 to 1980. Operated on Korolev.
Petrushenko, Aleksandr Yakovlevich (1942-1992) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut, 1965-1973. Later worked at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, then moved to the satellite control center in Monino until his retirement 1991.
Pettit, Donald Roy (1955-) American chemical engineer mission specialist astronaut. Flew on ISS EO-6, STS-126. First NASA astronaut to return to earth in a Russian spacecraft.
Petzold, Walter German Manager. Director/manager of the power station at Peenemuende.
Italian pressure suit, used 1934-37. The first Italian pressure suit was used between 1934 and 1937 by Italian pilots Pezzi and Negroni to break altitude records with the Caproni 161, 161bis and 113 aircraft.
Notional N2O4/Alumizine rocket engine. 18,873 kN. Study 1967. Isp=280s. Used on Saturn LCB-Alumizine-250 launch vehicle.
Notional N2O4/Alumizine rocket engine. 22,562 kN. Study 1967. Isp=280s. Used on Saturn LCB-Alumizine-140 launch vehicle.
Notional N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 21,232 kN. Study 1967. Isp=267s. Used on Saturn LCB-Storable-250 launch vehicle.
Notional N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 28,552 kN. Study 1967. Isp=267s. Used on Saturn LCB-Storable-140 launch vehicle.
Notional Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. 20,306 kN. Study 1967. Isp=275s. Used on Saturn LCB-Lox/RP-1 launch vehicle.
PFRR.
American agency. Poker Flat Research Range, USA.
PFS.
American lunar orbiter. 2 launches, 1971.07.26 (Apollo 15 Subsatellite) to 1972.04.16 (Apollo 16 Subsatellite). Released from Apollo; particles and fields experiments. Lunar Orbit (Selenocentric).
PGM-11A.
Department of Defence Designation of Redstone short range ballistic missile.
PGM-16A.
Department of Defence Designation of Atlas A test vehicle.
PGM-16B.
Department of Defence Designation of Atlas B test vehicle.
PGM-17A.
Department of Defence Designation of Thor intermediate range ballistic missile.
PGM-19A.
Department of Defence Designation of Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missile.
PGSUS (Lockheed Martin and Rafael).
American manufacturer. PGSUS (Lockheed Martin and Rafael), USA.
American pressure suit, tested 1977. Prototype High Altitude Flying Outfit. Prototype partial pressure suit by David Clark to integrate altitude, thermal, immersion, chemical defense and anti-G protection.
Over the years the Western press named a number of cosmonauts that were never acknowledged by the Soviet Union. Most were said to have died in space.
James Oberg's classic debunking of all those 'dead cosmonaut' stories.
American manned Mars orbiter. Study 1981. 1981 Mars orbiter expedition design, using Phobos and Deimos as bases, and using solar electric propulsion.
Philco-Ford.
Second Owner of Aeronutronics
Philippines
Philips, Dr Robert Ward (1929-) American physician payload specialist astronaut, 1984-1991.
Phillips, John Lynch (1951-) American physicist mission specialist astronaut. Flew on STS-100, ISS EO-11, STS-119.
Phillips, Franklyn W (1917-) American engineer, at NASA 1941-1964. Administered variety of aircraft and missile programs in 1950's. Assistant to NASA administrator 1958-1962.
Phillips, Samuel C (1921-1990) American USAF officer, talented manager who developed the B-52 and Minuteman for the Air Force, then was brought to NASA to head the Apollo program 1964-1971.
American manned Mars expedition. Study 1988. Human Expedition to Phobos was one of four in-depth NASA case studies in 1988 in response to a perceived imminent Soviet manned Mars program.
Ground-test reactor for nuclear propulsion
Phoebus, Clifford P (1910-1984) American naval aviator, flight surgeon and medical corps officer who rose to the rank of captain in 1953 and was commander of the U.S. Naval School of Aviation Medicine in Pensacola, Florida, from 1960-1964.
Phoenix.
Popular Name of SLS A-388 orbital launch vehicle.
American Mars lander. One launch, 2007.08.04. Mars lander based on surplus hardware from the cancelled Mars Surveyor 2001 and the failed Mars Polar Lander (whence the Phoenix designation).
American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. The larger 180 tonne Phoenix design of the 1980's was envisioned in two versions -- the Phoenix C (Cargo, unmanned) and Phoenix E (Excursion -- for use as a lunar or Mars lander and personnel transport to earth orbit). The earlier versions used liquid oxygen oxidiser and two fuels (hydrogen and propane) but later iterations used only oxygen and hydrogen (varying the oxidiser to fuel ration during ascent). The designs used an 'aeroplug' in place of the 'aerospike' of earlier SSTO designs. Gary Hudson and Maxwell Hunter spent several years trying to interest investors in the designs before the company folded.
American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. The small Phoenix design of the 1980's was envisioned in two versions -- the Phoenix L (Light, cargo only) and Phoenix LP (Light-Prime, crewed). The earlier versions used liquid oxygen oxidiser and two fuels (hydrogen and propane) but later iterations used only oxygen and hydrogen (varying the oxidiser to fuel ratio during ascent). The designs used an 'aeroplug' in place of the 'aerospike' of earlier SSTO designs.
American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Intermediate versions of the Phoenix concept were sketched out in the mid-1980's. These more conservative vehicles used individual altitude-compensating bell nozzles rather than the aeroplug baseline. Composite materials were to be used in the aeroshell and, possibly, in the propellant tankage.
American Mars lander.
Phoenix Mars Scout.
Alternate designation for Phoenix Mars Lander mars lander.
Category of persons.
An instrument for measuring the intensity of light by comparing it with a standard.
An electron tube that produces electrical signals in response to light. In the tube, the electric signal is amplified to produce a measurable output signal even from very small quantities of light.
Intensely luminous surface layer of the Sun in which the sunspots and several other solar phenomena occur.
Category of persons.
Category of persons.
Category of persons.
PI.
Principal Investigator
Pickering, William H (1910-2004) New Zealand-American Chief Designer, Director JPL, 1954-1976. Under his leadership the first successful probes to earth orbit, the Moon, Venus, and Mars were designed, built, and flown (Explorer, Pioneer, Ranger, Mariner,Surveryor, Viking).
American tether technology satellite. One launch, 2001.09.07. Picosat 7/Picosat 8 were ejected from the Mightysat II.1 satellite. The 0.25 kg satellites were connected by a 30 m tether and were deployed a year after launch.
Pierce, John R (1910-) American engineer, commonly referred to as the inventor of the communications satellite in 1954. He worked for 35 years as an engineer at Bell Labs and then worked at the California Institute of Technology and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
PIHM.
Polish manufacturer of rocket engines. Polish Hydro-Meteorological Institute, Poland.
Category of persons.
American technology satellite. 6 launches, 1958.07.25 (Pilot 1) to 1958.08.28 (Pilot 6). Pilot launches were deep-black tests of the US Navy's 1950's reconnaissance satellite and ASAT designs.
Piloted Gliding Spacecraft.
Alternate designation for PKA manned spaceplane.
Pilotiruemiy korabl.
Alternate designation for PK manned spacecraft.
Scientific Research Institute of Automatics & Instrumental-Building.
Pilyugin, Nikolai Alekseyevich (1908-1982) Russian chief designer. Chief Designer 1948-1982 of Nll-885 and NII AP. Specialised in missile and spaceship guidance.
Pilz.
Pilz, Wolfgang (1911-1994) German professor. Member of German Rocket Team in France after WW2; later worked in Egypt 1963-1963.
Pilz, Arthur (1912-) German master mechanic in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the Soviet Union, worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's design bureau from 1947 to 1952. Worked in Test Bench; Laboratory Department.
Base for units deployed with R-12 missiles.
Pion.
Russian earth atmosphere satellite. 6 launches, 1989.05.25 (Pion) to 1992.08.19 (Pion 2). Deployed from Resurs F1, which carried two passive separable "Pion" probes to investigate upper atmospheric density.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pioneer series were the first US probes sent towards the moon. Later Pioneers explored the heliocentric space environment and were the first spacecraft to reach the outer planets and to escape from the solar system.
American manufacturer of rockets and spacecraft. Pioneer Rocketplane, USA.
American lunar orbiter. 3 launches, 1958.08.17 (Pioneer (1)) to 1958.11.08 (Pioneer 2). Pioneers 0, 1 and 2 were the first U. S. spacecraft to attempt to leave Earth orbit.
American outer planets probe. 2 launches, 1972.03.03 (Pioneer 10) to 1973.04.06 (Pioneer 11). Pioneers 10 and 11 were the first spacecraft to fly by Jupiter (Pioneer 10 and 11) and Saturn (Pioneer 11 only).
American Venus probe. One launch, 1978.05.20, Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Part of the Pioneer program Pioneer Venus Orbiter was designed to perform long-term observations of the Venusian atmosphere and surface features.
American Venus probe. 5 launches, 1978.08.08 (Pioneer Venus 2) to (Pioneer Venus Probe 4). The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe consisted of a bus which carried one large and three small atmospheric probes.
American lunar flyby probe. 2 launches, 1958.12.06 (Pioneer 3) to 1959.03.03 (Pioneer 4). Smaller than the previous Pioneers, Pioneer 3 and 4 each carried only a single experiment to detect cosmic radiation.
American solar satellite. One launch, 1960.03.11. Pioneer 5 was designed to provide the first map of the interplanetary magnetic field. The vehicle functioned for a record 106 days, and communicated with Earth from a record distance of 36.2 million km.
American solar satellite. 5 launches, 1965.12.16 (Pioneer 6) to 1969.08.27 (Pioneer E). Pioneers 6, 7, 8, and 9 were created to make the first detailed, comprehensive measurements of the solar wind, solar magnetic field and cosmic rays.
American lunar orbiter. 4 launches, 1959.11.26 (Pioneer (P 3)) to 1960.12.15 (Pioneer (P 31)). The least successful lunar spacecraft; none even achieved orbit in four attempts.
American manned spaceplane. Study 2004. X-Prize suborbital spaceplane concept of Pioneer Rocketplane, Solvang, California. No backing forthcoming.
Pioneering the Space Frontier.
American manned Mars expedition. Study 1986. In 1984 a National Commission on Space was formed, with ex-NASA Administrator Thomas Paine at its head.
Pioner.
Launch System of 15Zh45 intermediate range ballistic missile.
Mobile solid propellant intermediate range multiple warhead ballistic missile. Seen as an enormous threat to NATO. 405 launchers deployed by 1987 when the missile was banned by the INF Treaty.
Russian intermediate range ballistic missile. Mobile solid propellant intermediate range multiple warhead ballistic missile. Seen as an enormous threat to NATO. 405 launchers deployed by 1987 when the missile was banned by the INF Treaty.
Pioner UTTKh.
Launch System of 15Zh45UTTKh intermediate range ballistic missile.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 8,700 kg.
Pioner-3.
Launch System of 15Zh53 intermediate range ballistic missile.
Russian military naval surveillance radar satellite. 2 launches, 1987.02.02 and 1987.07.10 .
Russian military naval radar satellite. Cancelled 1988. The Pirs-2 was the second phase nuclear-powered active-radar naval targeting spacecraft.
Pisarev, Viktor Mikhailovich (1941-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1967-1968.
An angular movement (of a spacecraft) about an axis parallel to the lateral axis of the vehicle.
Pitskhelauri, Lado Vladimirovich (1932-) Russian engineer cosmonaut candidate, 1965. Was married to cosmonaut Tatiyana Kuznetsova.. Engineer, Soviet Air Force. Selected as a cosmonaut in August 1965, but on 23 October 1965 the selection was nullified by a government commission.
PIX.
American technology satellite. One launch, 1978.03.05. Plasma Interaction Experiment.
PK.
Russian manned spacecraft. Study 2018. This conical, six-crew space capsule represented the Russian Space Agency's preferred design to support Russian spaceflight in the 2018-2068 period.
PKA.
Russian manned spaceplane. Study 1959. In 1957, in response to the USAF Dynasoar project, Soviet aviation bureaus were tasked with producing draft project designs for a manned spaceplane.
PKO.
Russian agency overseeing development of spacecraft. Anti-Ballistic Missile Forces, Russia.
PL-04.
CIA Designation of RT-23 15Zh52 and RT-23U 15Zh61 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
PLA.
Chinese agency overseeing development of spacecraft. People's Liberation Army, China.
Chinese agency overseeing development of spacecraft. People's Liberation Army Air Force, China.
Position location and communications-experiment (on ATS 6)
Bright regions in the chromosphere of the Sun, usually near sunspots, indicating areas of enhanced magnetic field strength (10 to 100 Gauss*) and increased solar activity. Plages are best observed in monochromatic light of hydrogen or calcium.
Space observatory designed to observe the fine detail of the cosmic microwave background. Planck reached the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrangian point in July 2009, and had successfully completed a second all-sky survey by February 2010. Launched 2009.05.14,
Category of spacecraft.
Planetary Atmosphere Experiment Test.
Alternate designation for PAET military technology satellite.
American manned Mars orbiter. Study 1969. NASA had the long range goal of sending men to explore the planet Mars.
American manufacturer of spacecraft. Planetary Society, USA.
Planetary Society Mars Expedition 1983.
American manned Mars expedition. Study 1983. Chemically-powered Mars flyby-rendezvous landing mission designed by SAIC under contract to the Planetary Society in 1983.
Planet-B.
Alternate designation for Nozomi mars orbiter.
Category of spaceflights.
A gas composed of ions, electrons, neutral atoms, and molecules. The interactions between particles of a plasma are mainly electromagnetic. Although many of the individual particles are electrically positive or negative, the plasma as a whole is neutral.
Plasma Diagnostics Package.
Alternate designation for PDP earth magnetosphere satellite.
Plathe, Albert (-1973) German Engineer. Pilot; main engineer at Peenemuende.
US Army anti-ballistic missile, development started in 1951. Program cancelled in 1959.
Atlas F (SMS 556) ICBM base.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 03.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 04.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 06.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 07.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 08.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 09.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 10.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 11.
Plattsburgh AFB Missile Site 12.
Poem: Remember silos of sentinels?...
Russian ion engine technology satellite. 2 launches, 1987.02.02 (Cosmos 1818) to 1987.07.10 (Cosmos 1867). In 1987 two experimental Plazma-A satellites (Cosmos 1818 and 1867) were launched with new-generation Topaz reactors.
PLBD.
Payload Bay Doors. These were a critical shuttle item. Failure of them to open would prevent deployment of the shuttle's cooling radiators and lead to an immediate mission abort and return home. Failure of them to close would doom the shuttle to burn up during reentry. Therefore there were redundant electrical systems to close the doors, and if these would fail, a manual method that could be accomplished by astronauts conducting an emergency spacewalk. Even missions with no spacewalk on the flight plan had spacesuits and astronauts aboard trained to manually shut the payload bay doors.
Plesetsk was the Soviet Union's northern cosmodrome, used for polar orbit launches of mainly military satellites, and was at one time the busiest launch centre in the world. The collapse of the Soviet Union put the main launch site of Baikonur in Kazakh territory. It now seems that once the Proton rocket is retired, Baikonur will be abandoned and Plesetsk will be Russia's primary launch centre. Upgrades to existing launch facilities will allow advanced versions of the Soyuz rocket and the new Angara launch vehicle to be launched from Plesetsk. Plesetsk's major drawback was the lower net payload in geosynchronous orbit from a northern latitude launch site. However Russia is planning to remove the disadvantage by looping geosynchronous satellites around the moon, using lunar gravity to make the necessary orbital plane change.
15Zh58 SP
15Zh44/15Zh60 SP
Topol-M SP
15Zh44 SP
Kosmos 3 launch complex.
Plesetsk LC132
Kosmos-3, Kosmos 3 launch complex.
Kosmos 3 launch complex.
UR-100N, Kosmos 2 launch complex.
UR-100N, Kosmos 3 launch complex.
Temp-2S, RT-20P launch complex.
Topol launch complex.
R-7 launch complex. Complex 16 was the second R-7A ICBM launch complex to become operationall at Plesetsk, in 1960. In 1969, Pad 2 was cannibalized to upgrade the Area 1 facility in Baikonur. Pad 2 was not again brought into operation until 1979. It was then completely renovated as a space launch pad for Molniya 8K78M/Soyuz 11A511U class vehicles. The first launch was on 19 February 1981, and it continued in use in this role into the 21st Century.
RT-2 launch complex.
RT-23 launch complex.
Topol launch complex.
Tsiklon launch complex.
Tsiklon launch complex. Construction of this highly-automated launch complex for the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle started in 1970. The complex was designed by the Transmash Design bureau led by Chief Designer V N Solovyev. The complex consisted of two pads. The vehicle was assembled and integrated with its payload in the assembly building. It was then delivered to the launch pad by railway in a horizontal position. A launch pad erector placed the rocket into vertical position. No service tower was needed for the storable-propellant booster.
Tsiklon launch complex. Construction of this highly-automated launch complex for the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle started in 1970. The complex was designed by the Transmash Design bureau led by Chief Designer V N Solovyev. The complex consisted of two pads. The vehicle was assembled and integrated with its payload in the assembly building. It was then delivered to the launch pad by railway in a horizontal position. A launch pad erector placed the rocket into vertical position. No service tower was needed for the storable-propellant booster.
R-7 launch complex. Code named 'Lesobaza', this was the first complex completed at Plesetsk, being declared ready for military service with the R-7A ICBM in November 1959. The complex followed the design of the protoype facility built at Area 31 of Baikonur and included its own residential area for military personnel and assembly buildings for launchers and payloads.
Plesetsk LC43
R-7 launch complex.
R-7 launch complex.
R-9 launch complex.
R-16 launch complex.
Topol launch complex.
Pleshakov, Petr Stepanovich (1922-1987) Russian government official. Director of TsNII-108 1958-1964. Minister of Radio Industry 1974-1987.
An instrument for determining and registering variations in the size of an organ part or limb, and in the amount of blood present or passing through it.
PLR.
American manned lunar rover. Study 1992. A May 1992 USRA study by students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University sketched out a design for a Pressurized Lunar Rover (PLR).
PLSS.
Portable Life Support System
PLT.
Pilot, spelled out P-L-T when spoken
Rocketdyne lox/lh2 rocket engine. 6864.6 kN. Study 1993. Plug nozzle version of J-2 proposed for certain Saturn V upgrades in late 1960's. Isp=425s. Used on DC-I launch vehicle.
Notional lox/lh2 rocket engine. 23,928 kN. Study 1966. Isp=459s. Used on Pegasus VTOVL launch vehicle.
Notional lox/lh2 rocket engine. 101,988 kN. Study 1964. Isp=459s. Used on Rombus launch vehicle.
Notional lox/lh2 rocket engine. 1574.9 kN. Study 1967. Isp=459s. Used on SASSTO launch vehicle.
Notional lox/lh2 rocket engine. 31,980.2 kN. Study 1971. Isp=455s. Used on Shuttle SERV launch vehicle.
Notional lox/lh2 rocket engine. 3728.7 kN. Study 1978. Isp=485s. Used on VTOVL launch vehicle.
Base for units deployed with R-12 missiles.
Pluto.
Popular Name of SLAM intercontinental cruise missile.
French short range ballistic missile.
PLV.
Alternate designation for Payload Launch Vehicle target missile.
PM.
Pressurized Module
PMC.
Permanently Manned Capability
PMG.
American tether technology satellite. 2 launches, 1993.06.26 (PMG) and (PMG). Plasma Motor Generator
Pressure Modulated InfraRed Radiometer (on Mars Observer)
PMR.
Pacific Missile Range
PMT.
PhotoMultiplier Tube
PO.
Production organization (Russian abbreviation)
PO Kosmicheskaya Sviaz.
Second Owner of Svyaz
Pobeda.
Pobedonostsev, Yuri Aleksandrovich (1907-1973) Russian engineer. Chief Engineer 1946-49 of Nll-88. Later Chief Engineer of Nll-125.
Poehlmann, Moritz German rocket engine technical designer.
Poeschel German Engineer. Engineer at Peenemuende.
German sounding rocket.
POGO.
Polar Orbiting Geophysical Observatory
American test vehicle.
POGS.
Manufacturer's designation for Stacksat P87-2 technology satellite.
Pogue, William Reid 'Bill' (1930-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on Skylab 4.
Poindexter, Alan Goodwin 'Dex' (1961-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-122, STS-131. Grew up in Rockville, Maryland, son of John Poindexter, a US Naval Officer and senior US government official.
The US Navy had established a Naval Air Facility at Point Mugu for cruise missile test in November 1945. After the Air Force had acquired the northern part of Camp Cooke from the Army for use as Vandenberg AFB, the surplus southern portion of the former camp, encompassing over 19,800 acres, was transferred to the U.S. Navy in May 1958. The Navy subsequently established a Pacific Missile Range with headquarters at Point Mugu and instrumentation sites along the California coast and at various islands in the Pacific.
Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 28 launches from 1990 to 2007, reaching up to 4539 kilometers altitude.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 73 launches from 1965 to 1972, reaching up to 200 kilometers altitude.
US Naval Air Station and major missile testing centre, known to have been used for 2551 launches from 1955 to 2005. The actual total of missile tests is many times greater.
Pad 1
Pad 2
Panel on In-Flight Scientific Experiments
Sounding rocket launch site. In use from 1969 to present. Poker Flat Rocket Range (PFRR) contains five major launch pads. Pads 1 and 2 each have a 7.5K launcher, pads 3 and 4 each contain 20K MRL launchers, and pad 5 contains a 4K twin boom launcher. Pad 3 is equipped with a moveable launcher enclosure which can be used to protect a rocket on pad 3 and workers from the severe winter weather.
Nike, Deacon launch complex. Fort Wainwright
Tomahawk Sandia, Nike, Black Brant launch complex. MRL 7.5K launcher, Pad 1
Terrier, Hawk, Black Brant launch complex. MRL 7.5K launcher, Pad 2
Terrier, Hawk, Black Brant launch complex. AML 20K launcher, Pad 3
Black Brant launch complex. AML 20K launcher, Pad 4
Terrier launch complex. AML 4K3 launcher, Pad 5
Hilltop 7.5K launcher, Pad 6
Pokrovskiy, Aleksei Vasilyevich (1903-1988) Russian officer. Director of Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine from the 1940s to 1959.
Pokrovskiy, Boris Antolyevich (1923-) Russian officer. Colonel, Deputy Chief of Center for the KIK Space Tracking System for Material Support.
Poland
Polish manufacturer of rockets. Poland Aviation Institute, Poland.
Polansky, Mark Lewis 'Roman' (1956-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-98, STS-116, STS-127, , , ,
American earth magnetosphere satellite. One launch, 1996.02.24. Polar was designed to measure the entry, energization, and transport of plasma into the magnetosphere as part of the International Solar Terrestrial Program (ISTP).
Polar Beacon Experiment & Auroral Research.
Alternate designation for Polar Bear earth magnetosphere satellite.
American earth magnetosphere satellite. One launch, 1986.11.14. also known as STP P87-1, a military mission designed to study communications interference caused by solar flares and increased auroral activity.
Category of spacecraft.
American manned space station. Study 1984. In order to increase the Space Station's and Space Shuttle's appeal, NASA tried to involve as many users as possible.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Full name of PSLV all-solid orbital launch vehicle.
An instrument for determining the degree of polarization of electromagnetic radiation, specifically the polarization of light.
Probably the most technically innovative program in history, Polaris integrated solid-propellant, inertially-guided intermediate range ballistic missiles with nuclear submarines that could remain submerged for months at a time. All of these were new technologies, but the first ship was underway only three years after go-ahead.
American submarine-launched ballistic missile. Probably the most technically innovative program in history, Polaris integrated solid-propellant, inertially-guided intermediate range ballistic missiles with nuclear submarines that could remain submerged for months at a time. All of these were new technologies, but the first ship was underway only three years after go-ahead.
American missile. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x A1P + 1 x A1P stage 2
Polaris A-1.
Popular Name of Polaris A1 missile.
American missile. In comparison to the A-1, the Polaris A-2 had a slightly longer first stage and a lighter second-stage motor casing. These features increased range to 2800 km (1500 nm), the performance originally envisioned by the Navy.
Polaris A-2.
Popular Name of Polaris A2 missile.
Solid rocket stage. Mass 4,200 kg (9,259 lb).
American missile.
Solid rocket stage. Mass 4,200 kg (9,259 lb).
American missile. Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x A3P + 1 x X-260
Polaris A-3.
Popular Name of Polaris A3 missile.
American missile. Two stage test vehicle consisting of 1 x A3P + 1 x X-260
American missile. British version of Polaris A3.
American missile. 2 stage experimental vehicle
Solid rocket stage. Mass 4,300 kg (9,480 lb).
American missile. Single stage test vehicle to test thrust-vectoring system.
Solid rocket stage. 285.00 kN (64,071 lbf) thrust. Mass 8,300 kg (18,298 lb).
The state of electromagnetic radiation when the transverse oscillations take place in some regular manner, e.g., all in one plane.
Poletaev, Boris Ivanovich Russian engineer. General Director and Chief Designer of KB Arsenal Developed naval artillery, missiles, and satellites.
Russian manufacturer of spacecraft. Polikarpov Design Bureau, Russia.
Polish AF.
Polishchuk, Aleksandr Fyodorovich (1953-) Russian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on Mir EO-13. Civilian Engineer, Energia NPO
Category of persons.
Thiokol solid rocket engine.
Polonski, Anatoly Borisovich (1956-) Russian test pilot cosmonaut, 1989-1991. Test pilot and Colonel, Soviet Air Force Test Pilot School. Cosmonaut training March 1989 - April 1991. Later a test pilot at Khalovskaya.
Base for units deployed with nine Pioner launchers.
Polukhin, Dmitri Alekseyevich (1927-1993) Russian engineer. Chief Designer 1973-1993 of Chelomei design bureau Filial 1. Led the development of Proton.
Polyakov, Dr Valeri Vladimirovich (1942-) Russian physician cosmonaut. Flew on Mir LD-2, Mir LD-4. Longest single space flight (437 days). 678 cumulative days in space. Civilian Physician, Institute of Medical Biological Problems.
Polyakov, Boris Ivanovich (1938-) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1964-1964.
Russian manufacturer of rocket engines. Polyarniy Design Bureau, Russia.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. UR-500 design studies considered two variants of the first stage: polyblock and monoblock. The polyblock variant consisted of a centre large diameter oxidizer tank surrounded by several smaller diameter fuel tanks. This version could be assembled in a special rig with the lateral blocks being sequentially mounted on the centre. In January 1962 this design was chosen as most advantageous, following studies that indicated improved wind loads and bending moment characteristics compared to the monoblock design. The developed version of the design would become known as the Proton.
Polyot.
Alternate designation for Sputnik 11A59 orbital launch vehicle.
Russian military anti-satellite system. 2 launches, 1963.11.01 (Polet 1; Polyot 1) to 1964.04.12 (Polet 2; Polyot 2). First prototype model of Chelomei's ASAT, used in an interceptor control and propulsion test.
Russian manufacturer of rockets. AKO Polyot, Omsk, Omsk, Russia.
French tactical ballistic missile. Operational and technical evaluation 1998-2002.
Russian military anti-satellite system. One launch, 1987.05.15. The Polyus military testbed was put together on a crash basis as an answer to America's Star Wars program.
American manufacturer of rockets. Pomona, California, USA.
Ponomarev, Maksim Vladimirovich (1980-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 2006-on. Captain, Special-Purpose Command Staff (Moscow VO)
Ponomaryov, Yuri Anatolyevich (1932-2005) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1972-1983. Was married to astronaut Valentina Ponomaryova.
Ponomaryova, Valentina Leonidovna (1933-) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut, 1962-1969. Was married to astronaut Yuri Ponomaryov.
Pontes, Marcos Cesar (1963-) Brazilian test pilot mission specialist astronaut. Flew on ISS EP-10.
Popov, Leonid Ivanovich (1945-) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Salyut 6 EO-4, Salyut 6 EP-10, Salyut 7 EP-2.
Popovich, Pavel Romanovich (1930-2009) Ukrainian pilot cosmonaut. Flew on Vostok 4, Soyuz 14. Commander of first military space station mission.
Popovich, Marina Lavrentrevna Vasliyevna (1931-) Russian engineer at Antonov, VVS officer and test pilot, holder of 13 aviation world records, wife of cosmonaut Pavel Popovich, world-renowned UFO expert.
Poppel, Theodor Anton (1918-1986) German-American engineer, ember of von Braun's team, expert in guided missile ground support during WW2, and continued in that role in the US. Played a key role in designing Saturn I LC34, and the Saturn V's VAB and Transporter-Crawler.
Porter, Richard W (1913-1996) American engineer; his 400-strong GE team at Malta, NY, built US versions of the V-2 and Wasserfall, and engine for Vanguard. Influential, on many committees, but Malta was a dead-end, and closed in 1984.
Portugal
Porvatkin, Nikolai Stepanovich (1932-2009) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1967-1983. Graduated from Technical Air Force School, 1952. Graduated from Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy, Monino, 1960. Cosmonaut training May 1967 - 18 August 1967. Worked at NPO Energia.
POS.
Permanent Orbital Station (Russian abbreviation)
Posadochnaya stuplen.
Russian name (landing stage) for LEK PS manned spacecraft module.
American submarine-launched ballistic missile. SLBM, 2 stages, inertial guided, nuclear MIRV warhead, range that of twice Polaris A-3.
Poseidon C-3.
Popular Name of Poseidon submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 20,000 kg.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 7,000 kg.
Poseidon C-4.
Alternate designation for Trident C-4 intercontinental ballistic missile.
Poseidon D-5.
Alternate designation for Trident D-5 intercontinental ballistic missile.
Post.
Post, Ferdinand German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, working "c/o Klinger", British Zone.
Headquarters of an RVSN Division, 1960-1993. Base for units deployed with 12 R-12 and later 9 Pioner missile launchers.
Potapov, Dr Mikhail Georgiyevich (1952-) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1978-1985. Civilian Physician, Institute of Medical Biological Problems. Cosmonaut training October 1979 - July 1980. Later Chief of Laboratory 174 at IMBP.
French manufacturer of spacecraft. Potex, France.
Russian military communications satellite. 10 launches, 1982.05.18 (Cosmos 1366) to 2000.07.04 (Cosmos 2371). Potok was one element of the second generation global command and control system (GKKRS) developed according to a decree of 17 February 1976.
Powell, Cecil American test pilot. Flew the X-24A and M2-F3.
Power, Thomas (1905-1970) American USAF officer, commanded Air Research and Development Command, in 1950s during development of early missiles. Commander of SAC, 1957-1964, during the crash program to deploy the Atlas, Titan, and Minuteman ICBMs.
Power Tower Space Station - 1984.
American manned space station. Study 1984. The NASA Concept Definition Team eventually selected the Boeing/Grumman 'Power Tower' design as its baseline.
Pozharskaya, Dr Larisa Grigoryevna (1947-2002) Russian physician cosmonaut, 1980-1993.
PPK.
Personal Preference Kit. NASA astronauts were limited to taking a Personal Preference Kit (PPK) of no more than twenty items and 700 g mass on a spaceflight. These had to be submitted to NASA for approval weeks before the flight and were locked in a mid-deck shuttle locker. Collectibles such as rolls of coins, stamps, pins, flags, and so on were prohibited to prevent the astronauts from profiting personally from the flight.
PPM.
Positions and Proper Motions (catalog)
PPM.
American space tug. Study 1968. The Primary Propulsion Module was the definitive 1960's design for a nuclear thermal rocket stage suitable for interplanetary operations.
PQD.
Paraquinone dioxime
Russian short range ballistic missile. Short-range air-augmented ballistic missile. Tested concepts for Gnom ICBM.
Prahl, Dr Joseph Markel (1943-) American engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1990-1992. Assigned as backup for STS-50. Professor of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Prandl German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Goettingen.
Prast, J German expert in aero medicine during World War II. As of January 1947, working in Heidelberg (American Zone of Occupation).
Willibald P Prasthofer (1917-1993) Austrian-American engineer and rocket technician in World War II; later worked in France in the engine group at LRBA from 1947 to 1955. He returned briefly to Graz, Austria, and then went to work with von Braun's team at Huntsville, Alabama. During his tenure at NASA, he was US representative to the Paris Air Show for a number of years and lectured at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. He was on the faculty of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
American manufacturer of rocket engines. Pratt and Whitney, USA.
Pravetskiy, Vladimir Nikolayevich Russian government official. Chief of Third Chief Directorate in Ministry of Health.
PRC.
Chinese Ministry of Astronautics, Beijing, China.
Chinese agency. China, China.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 392 kN. Strela-1 missile. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. KSShch Shchuka. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 3.920 kN. SM-30. Out of Production.
SKB-30 solid rocket engine. 1962 kN.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. V-600. Out of Production.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 6,400/3,300 kg. Thrust 784.00 kN. Zero-length launch stage for Tu-121. Thrust varied from 75 to 80 tonnes and duration from 3.75 to 5.0 seconds.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 784 kN. DBR-1 Yastreb. Out of Production. Thrust 80 tf at ignition, 75 tf at cutout.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 036 Vikhr. Out of Production.
Kartukov solid rocket engine. 400/5V11 stage I. Out of Production.
PRE.
Manufacturer's designation for Rescue Ball manned rescue spacecraft.
The angular motion (tilting) of the axis of a spinning or rotating body caused by a torque whose axis is not parallel with the axis of rotation.
Precision Engineering Design Bureau.
Second Owner of Nudelman
Precourt, Charles Joseph 'Charlie' (1955-) American test pilot astronaut. Flew on STS-55, STS-71, STS-84, STS-91.
Russian civilian surveillance satellite. Study 1998. The Predvestnik satellites were planned to form a space-based earthquake prediction system.
Preobrazhensky, Vladimir Yevgenyevich (1939-1993) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1965-1980. Graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute Soviet Air Force, liaising with aircraft industrial enterprises. Cosmonaut training November 1965 - December 1967. Worked at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. Killed in an auto crash.
American technology satellite. Launched 2008.08.03,
Category of launch vehicles.
At this site the 556th Squadron of the USAF 702nd Strategic Missile Wing Squadron 556th operated the Snark intercontinental cruise missile from January 1959 to 25 June 25 1961.
TRW N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 17.8 kN. Design concept 1960's. 1960's designs for 'big dumb booster'. Isp=300s.
TRW N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 9793 kN. Study 1968. 1960's designs for 'big dumb booster'. Isp=300s. Used on LCLV launch vehicle.
TRW N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 2028 kN. Study 1968. 1960's designs for 'big dumb booster'. Isp=306s. Used on LCLV launch vehicle.
TRW Lox/Kerosene rocket engine. 245.2 kN. Design concept 1960's. 1960's designs for 'big dumb booster'. Isp=270s.
TRW N2O4/UDMH rocket engine. 56,368 kN. Study 1968. 1960's designs for 'big dumb booster'. Isp=267s. Used on LCLV launch vehicle.
Pressurized Lunar Rover - Dual Hull.
American manned lunar rover. Study 1992. An alternate April 1992 USRA study by students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University sketched out a design for a Pressurized Lunar Rover (PLR) using dual hulls.
Preyer, Hans D German expert in guided missiles during World War II. As of January 1947, last known to be working at Englesby.
PRI.
PRI.
Priborniy otsek.
Russian name (equipment module) for Vostok PO manned spacecraft module.
Priborno-agregatniy otsek.
Russian name (equipment-propulsion module) for Soyuz TM PAO manned spacecraft module.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Launch vehicle using the 1st stage of the SS-N-20 SLBM topped by an SS-N-23 SLBM (RSM-52+RSM-54). Liftoff mass 104 tonnes. Can be launched from stationary or mobile platforms.
Base for units deployed with up to 12 R-14 missile and R-12 missile launchers. Launcher deployment at site retirement was:
Prier, Erich (1912-1989) German Engineer. Engineer at Rheinmetall Borsig.
Prikhodko, Yuri Victorovich (1953-2001) Tajik-Russian test pilot cosmonaut, 1989-1994.
Primary Propulsion Module.
Alternate designation for PPM space tug.
American manned spaceplane. 3 launches, 1966.12.21 (Prime 1) to 1967.04.19 (Prime 3). The Prime (Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry) project was the second part of the USAF START program.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 1299 launches from 1968 to 1991, reaching up to 81 kilometers altitude.
Princeton.
The researcher responsible for defining an investigation or experiment as part of a NASA science or technology project, and for ensuring that the investigation of the experiment meets with its specific objectives.
Prinz, Dr Dianne Kasnic (1938-2002) American physicist payload specialist astronaut, 1978-1985.
Russian manned space station. One launch, 1996.04.23. Priroda was the last Mir module launched. It was originally an all-Soviet remote sensing module for combined civilian and military surveillance of the earth.
Japanese military surveillance radar satellite. One launch, 2009.01.23. Remote sensing picosatellite built by the University of Tokyo, with a 10-cm aperture Earth imager on a 1-meter deployable boom.
Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement satellite to test space rendezvous and formation-flight technologies. Consisted of 140 kg primary satellite and 40 kg target. Launched 2010.06.15.
Single stage vehicle. First units deployed in 1995.
Indian single-stage short range ballistic missile. First units deployed in 1995.
HAL solid rocket engine.
American test vehicle. At request of Army Ordnance, Cal Tech's rocket laboratory developed the first US long-range missiles. Project ORDCIT resulted in development of the Private A and Corporal missiles. At Camp Irwin, Calif., 24 Private A rockets were launched by JPL, only 11 months after the start of Project ORDCIT. This rocket technology that led to later operational Corporal and Sergeant missiles.
PRO.
Anti-Ballistic Missile Forces (Russian abbreviation)
European earth land resources satellite. One launch, 2001.10.22. Proba (PRoject for On-Board Autonomy, 1) was a European Space Agency technology development minisatellite with a mass of 94 kg.
Category of persons.
Russian earth magnetosphere satellite. 10 launches, 1972.04.14 (Prognoz 1) to 1985.04.26 (Intercosmos 23). This spacecraft, built by Lavochkin, was launched from 1972 for study of geomagnetic fields, radiation, and solar physics.
Russian military early warning satellite. 15 launches, 1975.10.08 (Cosmos 775) to 2008.06.26 (Cosmos 2397). Development began of the Soviet Union's Prognoz geosynchronous ballistic missile early warning satellite in 1980.
Russian earth magnetosphere satellite. 2 launches, 1995.08.02 (Interbol 1) to 1996.08.29 (Interbol 2). Interbol was originally an Intercosmos project with a launch planned for the late 1980's.
Program 102.
Alternate designation for Ferret military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
American earth weather satellite. 5 launches, 1962.05.24 (P 35-1) to 1963.09.27 (P 35-1). First US weather satellite, classified for many years. Predecessor to the DMSP series of military satellites.
Program 366.
Alternate designation for Chalet military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
Program 417, Program 35.
Code name for DMSP Block 4A earth weather satellite.
America's second operational anti-satellite system, launched on sub-orbital trajectories by Thor LV-2D's operated by the US Air Force from Johnson Atoll in the Pacific. Operational 1964-1970.
Program 472.
Manufacturer's designation for Rhyolite military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
American military anti-satellite system. Operational 1962 to 1966. America's first ASAT system was Program 505, which used prototype Nike Zeus DM-15S anti-ballistic missiles, operated from Kwajalein Atoll by the U.S. Army.
EOS electric/cesium rocket engine. 8.9 mN. Flew 1962-1964. Isp=7400s. Cesium contact ion propulsion system used on three sub-orbital flight tests aboard Blue Scout Junior launch vehicles.
American ion engine technology satellite. Study 1961. In November of 1961, Electro-Optical Systems was awarded a contract by the U. S. Air Force to develop a 8.9 mN, cesium-contact ionization IPS for three sub-orbital flight tests.
Program 720.
Alternate designation for Rhyolite military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
Program 770.
Code name for Ferret military naval signals reconnaisance satellite.
American military anti-satellite system. Study 1968. Program 922 was a non-nuclear sub-orbital ASAT in development in the late 1960's.
Program II.
Manufacturer's designation for DMSP Block 4A earth weather satellite.
Russian logistics spacecraft. 43 launches, 1978.01.20 (Progress 1) to 1990.05.06 (Progress 42). Progress took the basic Soyuz 7K-T manned ferry designed for the Salyut space station and modified it for unmanned space station resupply.
Russian manned spacecraft module. 43 launches, 1978.01.20 (Progress 1) to 1990.05.06 (Progress 42). Igla automatic rendezvous and docking system. Cargo section.
Russian logistics spacecraft. Operational, first launch 1989.08.23 (Progress M-1). Progress M was an upgraded version of the original Progress. New service module and rendezvous and docking systems were adopted from Soyuz T.
Russian manned spacecraft module. Operational, first launch 1989.08.23 (Progress M-1). Two Kurs-type rendezvous antennas. Cargo section.
Russian manned spacecraft module. Operational, first launch 1989.08.23 (Progress M-1). Fuel module for refueling space stations. Refuelling section.
Russian manned spacecraft module. Operational, first launch 1989.08.23 (Progress M-1). Improved PAO service module derived from Soyuz 7K-S with pressure-fed main engines and unitary RCS/main engine propellant feed system. Equipment-engine section.
Russian manned spacecraft module. Two launched, 1993-1994. This payload return capsule was brought to the Mir space station aboard a Progress M freighter. It was loaded by the cosmonauts aboard the station, then reinstalled in the Progress M. Ballistic landing capsule - return of experimental materials from Mir space station.
Russian logistics spacecraft. 11 launches, 2000.02.01 (Progress M1-1) to 2004.01.29 (Progress M1-11). Progress M1 was a modified version of the Progress M resupply spacecraft capable of delivering more propellant than the basic model to the ISS or Mir.
Russian logistics spacecraft. Cancelled 1993. As Phase 2 of the third generation Soviet space systems it was planned to use a more capable resupply craft for the Mir-2 space station.
Russian docking and airlock module for the International Space Station. First launch 2001.09.14. Delivered to the station by the Progress service module, which was jettisoned after docking.
Russian manned spacecraft module. 43 launches, 1978.01.20 (Progress 1) to 1990.05.06 (Progress 42). Fuel module for refueling space stations. Refuelling section.
Russian manned spacecraft module. 43 launches, 1978.01.20 (Progress 1) to 1990.05.06 (Progress 42). Derived from Soyuz 7K-OK basic PAO service module with pump-fed main engines and separate RCS/main engine propellant feed system. Equipment-engine section.
Project 1059.
Alternate designation for DF-1 intermediate range ballistic missile.
Project 4211.
Manufacturer's designation for Eole test vehicle.
Project 4212.
Manufacturer's designation for Super V-2 intermediate range ballistic missile.
Project 4213.
Manufacturer's designation for Veronique sounding rocket.
Chinese technology satellite. Study 1959. First Chinese satellite project, with the objective of placing a satellite in orbit by 1959.
German sounding rocket. Dornier project of the early 1960's for a recoverable, reusable sounding rocket. The liquid fueled rocket would use a paraglider for recovery, and could be reused up to six times. Drop tests were made of the paraglider system in Sardinia in 1965 but no flights of the rocket itself ever took place.
Project 714.
Code name for Shuguang 1 manned spacecraft.
American manned spacecraft. Study 1959. North American was the final selected vendor for Manned-In-Space-Soonest. The 1360-kg ballistic capsule would be launched by an Atlas booster to an 185-km altitude orbit.
In 1992 Xiandong Bao of the Shanghai Astronautics Bureau revealed plans for a modular family of modern rockets to support future Chinese manned space activities. The entire family would be based on a Lox/Kerosene booster stage of 306 tonnes mass, and a Lox/LH2 upper stage of 57 tonnes mass.
Project 921-1.
Alternate designation for Shenzhou manned spacecraft.
Chinese manned spacecraft. Study 1992. See Shenzhou
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 306,000/20,000 kg. Thrust 5,406.14 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 330 seconds. Engine chamber pressure 13 to 15 Mpa.
Chinese manned space station. Study 2007. Phase 2 of China's Project 921 was to culminate in orbiting of an 8-metric ton man-tended mini-space station.
Lox/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 57,000/7,000 kg. Thrust 490.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 440 seconds. Additionally 4 vernier Lox/LH2 engines with a total thrust of 4600 kgf and a storable engine package for stage propellant ullage and restart.
Project 921-3.
Alternate designation for Chinese Space Laboratory manned space station.
American manned Mars expedition. Study 1964. Project Deimos was a Mars expedition proposed by Philip Bono in the mid-1960's. It would use the huge Rombus single-stage-to-orbit booster, refueled in earth orbit, as the propulsion system to Mars and back.
Project Gemini AMU Space Suit, 1966.
Alternate designation for G4C AMU space suit.
The project summary of the US Army's 1959 plan to place a military base on the moon by 1965!
American manned spacecraft. Study 1956. April 1958 design of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics for a Manned Earth Reconnaissance spacecraft - consisting of a cylindrical fuselage and telescoping, inflatable wings for flight in the atmosphere.
Project Orion: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth.
20,000 tonne Mars Expeditions Using Atom Bomb Propulsion - We could have sent whole cities there by 1970 - the classic web article, by Michael Flora
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. The US Navy's satellite launcher project competed with the Army's Jupiter-C, the Air Force Atlas, and the civilian Vanguard. Air-launched satellite launch vehicle, and anti-satellite versions, tested by the US Navy shortly after Sputnik. One may have achieved orbit.
The US Navy's satellite launcher project competed with the Army's Jupiter-C, the Air Force Atlas, and the civilian Vanguard. Air-launched satellite launch vehicle, and anti-satellite versions, tested by the US Navy shortly after Sputnik. One may have achieved orbit.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Ground-launched, 5 stage vehicle for Project Pilot.
Solid rocket stage. 12.10 kN (2,720 lbf) thrust. Mass 200 kg (441 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 5.10 kN (1,147 lbf) thrust. Mass 10 kg (22 lb).
Solid rocket stage. 0.70 kN (157 lbf) thrust.
American air-launched orbital launch vehicle. Six stage vehicle consisting of 1 x F4D-1 Skyray + 2 x HOTROC + 2 x HOTROC + 1 x X-241 + 1 x NOTS 8in + 1 x NOTS 3in Sph.
Solid rocket stage. 63.20 kN (14,208 lbf) thrust. Mass 100 kg (220 lb).
American manned lunar base. Study 1964. Bono's enormous ROMBUS booster could fly all the way to the lunar surface and back if low Earth orbit rendezvous and propellant transfer were used. He therefore proposed using the booster to establish a lunar base.
Prokopov, Nikolai Afansyevich (1921-1960) Russian officer, Deputy Chief Third Directorate of GURVO, 1960. Service in WW2; part of special team sent to Germany in 1946 to secure rocket technology. Active in overseeing development of liquid rocket technology. Died in Nedelin disaster.
Sounding rocket for lightning research
A plasma protuberance above the surface of the Sun, originating in the chromosphere and extending sometimes to a height of several hundred thousand kilometers.
Pronina, Irina Rudolfovna (1953-) Russian engineer cosmonaut, 1980-1992.
Prophett, Philip M (1917-1999) American engineer. Convair chief test pilot; took Atlas ICBM base activation through its most critical phase.
American orbital launch vehicle. The April 1953 design for the Atlas at the time of Convair's proposal used five main engines to power a 200 metric tone rocket able to send a 1400 kg nuclear warhead over a 10,200 km range. CEP was 1850 m.
Category of persons.
American sounding rocket. Single stage vehicle.
American lunar rover. Study 1961. The Prospector spacecraft was a NASA/JPL unmanned lunar rover of the early 1960's.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded mass 10 kg.
British earth micrometeoroid satellite. 2 launches, 1970.09.02 (R-2) to 1971.10.28 (Prospero). Tested space equipment for future satellites and conducted a scientific experiment to measure the incidence of micro-meteoroids.
Protchenko, Sergey Filipovich (1947-) Russian pilot cosmonaut, 1976-1979.
Proteus
Family of spacecraft.
Positively-charged nuclear particle which forms a significant part of all atomic nuclei. The nucleus of a normal hydrogen atom is a proton. It is 1,837 times heavier than the electron.
The Proton launch vehicle has been the medium-lift workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs for over forty years. Although constantly criticized within Russia for its use of toxic and ecologically-damaging storable liquid propellants, it has out-lasted all challengers, and no replacement is in sight.
Investigation of ultra-high-energy cosmic particles.
The Proton launch vehicle has been the medium-lift workhorse of the Soviet and Russian space programs for over forty years. Although constantly criticized within Russia for its use of toxic and ecologically-damaging storable liquid propellants, it has out-lasted all challengers, and no replacement is in sight. Development of the Proton began in 1962 as a two-stage vehicle that could be used to launch large military payloads or act as a ballistic missile with a 100 megaton nuclear warhead. The ICBM was cancelled in 1965, but development of a three-stage version for the crash program to send a Soviet man around the moon began in 1964. The hurried development caused severe reliability problems in early production. But these were eventually solved, and from the 1970's the Proton was used to launch all Russian space stations, medium- and geosynchronous orbit satellites, and lunar and planetary probes.
Proton / Block D-1.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-D-1 orbital launch vehicle.
Proton / Block D-2.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-D-2 orbital launch vehicle.
Proton / Block DM.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-DM orbital launch vehicle.
Proton / Block DM-2M.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-DM-2M orbital launch vehicle.
Proton / Block DM-5.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-17S40 orbital launch vehicle.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 13,360/1,800 kg. Thrust 83.30 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 346 seconds. Originally designed as N1-L3 lunar expedition launch vehicle lunar orbit insertion/lunar crasher stage. Before it could fly on the N1, it was adapted for use with Proton UR-500K as a fourth stage for manned circumlunar flight. It was then further used to launch large Lavochkin bureau unmanned lunar/planetary spacecraft. In the 1970's it was adopted by the Soviet military and standardized for launch of geostationary satellites.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 16,900/1,800 kg. Thrust 85.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 352 seconds. Also known as Block D-2; article number 11S824F. Without guidance unit (navigation commands come from payload). Successor to 11S824M. Used for launch of Lavochkin Mars-bound spacecraft in 1988 and 1996.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 14,000/1,830 kg. Thrust 85.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 352 seconds. Also known as Block D-1; article number 11S824M. Without guidance unit (navigation commands come from payload). Successor to 11S824. Used to launch large Lavochkin bureau unmanned lunar/planetary/high earth orbit spacecraft from 1976 to 1989.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 17,550/2,300 kg. Thrust 85.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 352 seconds. Also known as Block DM; article number 11S86. With guidance unit, designed for insertion of military spacecraft into geosynchonous/ medium earth orbit. Used from 1974 to 1990. Succeeded by 11S861.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 17,300/2,300 kg. Thrust 85.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 352 seconds. Also known as Block DM-2 (different from commercial Block DM2 (no hyphen!)), article number 11S861. Commercial version designated Block DM1 and is equipped with Saab payload adapter for insertion of AS 4000 bus spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit. With improved guidance system as compared to 11S86, originally designed for insertion of military spacecraft into geosynchonous orbit. Used from 1982 to present.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 18,650/2,650 kg. Thrust 83.45 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 361 seconds. Also known as Block DM-2M, article number 11S861-01. Commercial versions are Block DM3, with Saab payload dispenser, for insertion of Hughes HS 601 bus spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit; and Block DM4, for insertion of FS-1300 bus spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit.. With guidance unit, originally designed for insertion of military spacecraft into geosynchonous orbit. Capable of boosting heavier payloads than 11S861 through use of higher-performance 'sintin' synthetic kerosene fuel.
Lox/Kerosene propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 14,600/3,300 kg. Thrust 85.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 352 seconds. Also known as Block DM-5. Commercial version is Block DM2, with Iridium dispenser, designed for insertion of multiple LM 700 (Iridium) spacecraft into medium earth orbit. With guidance unit, modification of 11S861 stage for heavier payloads and with different payload adapter.
Proton 2.
Alternate designation for UR-500 launch vehicle.
Proton 3.
Alternate designation for Proton-K orbital launch vehicle.
Proton 8K82K / Block DM-2.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-DM-2 orbital launch vehicle.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 450,510/31,100 kg. Thrust 10,470.16 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 316 seconds.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 167,828/11,715 kg. Thrust 2,399.22 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 327 seconds.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 50,747/4,185 kg. Thrust 630.17 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 325 seconds.
LF2/Ammonia propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 21,700/3,000 kg. Thrust 98.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 401 seconds.
Proton KM.
Alternate designation for Proton-K-Briz-M orbital launch vehicle.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 450,400/31,000 kg. Thrust 10,532.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 317 seconds.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 50,300/3,700 kg. Thrust 613.80 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 326.5 seconds.
Lox/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 19,500/3,000 kg. Thrust 73.58 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 461 seconds. Planned version for Proton. Never developed.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 22,170/2,370 kg. Thrust 19.60 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 326 seconds. New upper stage for Proton, replacing Energia Corporation's Block DM, making Proton an all-Khrunichev launch vehicle. The Khrunichev-built Briz-M upper stage is a derivative of the flight-proven Briz -K stage (as used on the Rokot booster).
Proton M.
Alternate designation for Proton-M-Briz-M orbital launch vehicle.
Earlier 8K82K model Proton, but Briz M storable propellant upper stage replaced the Block D cyrogenic stage.
Improved Proton orbital launch vehicle. Improvements in lower stages to reduce structural mass, increase thrust, and fully utilize propellants (reducing release of toxic chemicals in stage impact areas). Briz M storable propellant upper stage replaces Block D cyrogenic stage.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 134,900/13,180 kg. Thrust 2,399.19 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 325 seconds. Proton UR-500 second stage. Flew only on two-stage version of Proton. Empty mass is correct; all other values estimated based on UR-500 Stage 2 original design and UR-500K stage 2 figures.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Development of a three-stage version of the UR-500 was authorised in the decree of 3 August 1964. Decrees of 12 October and 11 November 1964 authorised development of the Almaz manned military space station and the manned circumlunar spacecraft LK-1 as payloads for the UR-500K. Remarkably, due to continuing failures, the 8K82K did not satisfactorily complete its state trials until its 61st launch (Salyut 6 / serial number 29501 / 29 September 1977). Thereafter it reached a level of launch reliability comparable to that of other world launch vehicles.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Version of Proton using Block DM-5 / 17S40 fourth stage. This stage has a new payload adapter for use with heavier paylods launched into sub-synchronous orbits. Used for launch of Arkon reconnaisance satellite.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Version of the 17S40 with payload adapter for deployment of multiple LM 700 (Iridium) spacecraft into medium earth orbit.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. This four stage version of the Proton was originally designed to send manned circumlunar spacecraft into translunar trajectory. Guidance to the Block D stage must be supplied by spacecraft. The design was proposed on 8 September 1965 by Korolev as an alternate to Chelomei's LK-1 circumlunar mission. It combined the Proton 8K82K booster for the LK-1 with the N1 lunar Block D stage to boost a stripped-down Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft around the moon. The Korolev design was selected, and first flight came on 10 March 1967. The crash lunar program led to a poor launch record. Following a protracted ten year test period, the booster finally reached a level of launch reliability comparable to that of other world launch vehicles.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. This derivative of the original four stage Block D / 11S824 version of the Proton was used from 1978 to launch Lavochkin OKB planetary probes (Mars, Venera) and high earth orbit astronomical observatories (Astron, Granat). Guidance to the Block D-1 stage must be supplied by spacecraft. Equipped with N2O4/UDMH verniers for precise placement of payloads in high orbits or planetary trajectories.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. This four stage version of the Proton was a modification of the original Block D / 11S824M for launch of late 1980's Lavochkin OKB probes on missions to Mars. Guidance to the Block D-2 stage must be supplied by spacecraft.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. The original four stage Proton / Block D configuration was used until 1976, at which time it was replaced by a modernised version equipped with N2O4/UDMH verniers for precise placement of payloads in geosynchronous orbit and its own self-contained guidance unit. This was accepted into military service in 1978 with the first Raduga launch. The stage was first developed for launch of gesynchronous military communications and early warning satellites (Raduga, Ekran, Gorizont, Potok, SPRN). Its later versions continue in use for launch of MEO and geosynchronous comsats, and was Russia's most successful commercial launcher.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. This improved four stage version uses the Block DM-2 / 11S861 fourth stage, which has its own guidance unit. This reduces payload but does not require the spacecraft's guidance system to provide steering commands to booster. Replaced the original Block DM / 11S86 version from 1982 to 1995. Used for launch of Glonass navigation satellites into medium earth orbit; and launch of Luch, Ekran-M, Potok, Raduga, Gorizont, Raduga-1, Elektro, and Gals communications satellites into geosynchronous orbit. Commercial version with Saab payload adapter-seperation system for Western payloads was dubbed 'Block DM1'.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Version of the 11S861 with adapter for Lockheed Martin AS 4000 bus spacecraft.
This four stage version uses the Block DM-2M / 11S861-01 upper stage, which has its own self-contained guidance unit. This reduces payload but does not require the spacecraft's guidance system to provide steering commands to booster. Used for launches of Russian geosynchronous satellites from 1994 on.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Version of the 11S861-01 with Saab payload adapter-seperation system for insertion of Hughes HS-601 bus spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Version of the 11S861-01 with Saab payload adapter-seperation system for insertion of FS-1300 bus spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit.
Russian orbital launch vehicle. Improved Proton-M stages, mated to the older 11S861 upper stage for certain payloads.
Proton-M/DM-3
Redmond electric/teflon rocket engine. 1.24 mN. In Production. Pulsed plasma thruster system. Completely solid state propulsion. Up to 100 W input power at 28 V DC, thrust to power ratio 12.4 microN/W. Isp=1350s.
PRSP.
Parachute landing propulsion system (Russian abbreviation)
Prunariu, Dumitru Dorin (1952-) Romanian engineer cosmonaut. Flew on Salyut 6 EP-10. First Rumanian astronaut.
PS.
Payload Shroud
Russian amateur radio communications satellite. 2 launches, 1997.10.05 (Sputnik-40) to 1998.10.25 (Spoutnik-41). Two subscale models of Sputnik 1, were built by students for hand-launch from Mir on fortieth anniversary of Sputnik 1.
PS-1.
Alternate designation for Sputnik 1 technology satellite.
PS-2.
Alternate designation for Sputnik 2 biology satellite.
PSAC.
Presidents Science Advisory Committee
psf.
pounds per square foot
psi.
pounds per square inch
psia.
pounds per square inch absolute
PSLV.
Indian third-generation launch vehicle, large enough to carry polar-orbiting earth resources satellites.
PSLV.
Indian third-generation launch vehicle, large enough to carry polar-orbiting earth resources satellites.
Indian all-solid orbital launch vehicle. Five stage vehicle consisting of 6 x PSOM + 1 x S139 + 1 x PS2 + 1 x PS3 + 1 x PS4
Core alone four stage vehicle consisting of 1 x S139 + 1 x PS2 + 1 x PS3 + 1 x PS4
Five stage vehicle consisting of 6 x PSOM-XL + 1 x S139 + 1 x PS2 + 1 x PS3 + 1 x PS4
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 10,930/2,010 kg. Thrust 502.60 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 262 seconds.
ISRO solid rocket engine. 4860 kN. Isp=264s. Used on GSLV, PSLV. First flight 1993.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 168,200/30,200 kg. Thrust 4,860.07 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 269 seconds.
N2O4/UDMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 45,800/5,300 kg. Thrust 725.02 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 293 seconds.
ISRO solid rocket engine. 328.7 kN. Isp=291s. Used on PSLV launch vehicle. First flight 1993.
Solid propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 8,400/1,100 kg. Thrust 328.71 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 294 seconds.
ISRO N2O4/MMH rocket engine. 7 kN. Isp=308s. Used on PSLV launch vehicle. First flight 1993.
N2O4/MMH propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 2,920/920 kg. Thrust 14.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 308 seconds.
PSN.
Indonesian agency. PSN, Indonesia.
PSR.
PulSaR
PSU.
PSU.
Indonesian agency. PT Telkom, Indonesia.
Ptolemy, Claudius (fl 127) Greek philosopher, theorized that the universe had the Earth at its center with the planets, Moon, Sun, and stars orbiting around it. This concept was dogma for 1500 years until Copernicus placed the sun at the center. Also catalogued 1,022 star
PTP.
Pyroxyline TNT Powder
PTV-N-4.
Department of Defence Designation of Cobra-BTV test vehicle.
PU.
Polyurethane
Puchkov, Aleksandr Sergeyevich (1948-) Russian test pilot cosmonaut, 1990-1996.
Puckett, Allen E (1919-) American engineer. Leader at Hughes Aircraft, 1949-1987. Led development of radars and missiles in 1950's, took Hughes into communications satellite field in 1960's.
Albert Puellenberg began construction of a series of increasingly sophisticated rockets in 1928. After further private rocketry development was prohibited in 1934, Puellenberg continued his work in secret, culminating with the extremely sophisticated VR12 rocket in 1938. This was the end of the line and the last privately-developed rocket built in Germany until 1956.
Puellenberg, Albert (1913-) German engineer. Led the Hannover Group of German rocket experimenters 1931-1935, and renewed German citizen rocketry 1952-1964.
German manufacturer of rockets. Puellenberg, Germany.
Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 1 launch in 1964, reaching up to 35 kilometers altitude.
Sounding rocket launch site. In use from 1980 to 1990. Known to have been used for 23 launches in 1983, reaching up to 590 kilometers altitude.
Pushenko, Nikolay Alekseyevich (1952-) Russian test pilot cosmonaut, 1990-1996.
Pustovyi, Dr Yaroslav Ihorovych 'Yarko' (1970-) Ukrainian engineer payload specialist astronaut, 1996-2005. Ukraine Air Force.
Putze, Oswald (1900-) German graduate engineer in WW2, member of the Rocket Team in the Soviet Union, worked on rocket engine development in Glushko's design bureau from 1947 to 1952. Worked in Manufacturing; Dept. 61/Shop 55.
Puz.
Puz, Craig Anton (1954-2008) American engineer military spaceflight engineer astronaut, 1982-1990.
PV.
Photovoltaic
PVC.
Polyvinyl chloride
PVO.
Russian agency.
PVO.
Protivo-Vosdushniya Oborona (Air Defence Forces) (Russian abbreviation); or Pioneer Venus Orbiter
Pratt and Whitney lox/lh2 rocket engine. 4457 kN. Study 1988. Part of launch vehicle proposed by Martin as alternative to NLS. All figures estimated based on 1,000,000 lb thrust single engine. Isp=425s.
PWN-1.
Department of Defence Designation of Loki Dart sounding rocket.
American sounding rocket, equipping the Loki-Dart payload with a radar transponder, in turn requiring the larger Super Loki motor to reach the same altitude.
American sounding rocket. Version of the PWN-10 with a smaller payload dart without the transponder.
American sounding rocket. The was another sounding rocket using the Super Loki booster. It used a dart with a ROBIN (Rocket Balloon Instrument) Inflatable Falling Sphere payload.
PWN-2.
Department of Defence Designation of Aerobee 150 sounding rocket.
PWN-3.
Department of Defence Designation of Nike Cajun sounding rocket.
PWN-4.
Department of Defence Designation of Exos sounding rocket.
American sounding rocket. Produced by Marquardt for the Army, Roksonde meteorological sounding rockets first completed a series of tests at White Sands Missile Range and Pacific Missile Range. They were later successfully fired from Cape Canaveral, telemetered measurements of winds and temperatures at altitudes above 600,000 m.
PWN-6.
Department of Defence Designation of Kitty sounding rocket.
PWN-7.
Department of Defence Designation of Rooster sounding rocket.
American sounding rocket. In the early 1960s, the low-cost Loki-Dart sounding rockets could only carry a passive chaff payload to high altitude. For more sophisticated payloads like temperature transmitters, the USAF had to use the significantly more expensive Arcas. The Space Data Corporation (SDC) was founded in 1963 with the goal to develop a meteorological instrument package small enough to fit into the 3.5 cm (1.38 in) diameter darts of the Loki-Dart systems.
PWN-9.
Department of Defence Designation of Kangaroo sounding rocket.