Cape Canaveral LC10
Site · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Navaho, Jason, Draco launch complex. The complex was built to support the Navaho winged intercontinental missile program. The Air Force accepted both sites 9 and 10 on 29 June 1956. Both complexes were demolished in 1959 to make room for Minuteman complexes 31 and 32.
Related
- Country
- USA
- Launch Vehicles
- Navaho G-26, Jason sounding rocket, Draco
- Launch Sites
- Cape Canaveral
Chronology
10 events
1957 August 12
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC10. LV Family: Navaho. Launch Vehicle: Navaho G-26.- Navaho G-26 Flight 5 - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USAF.
Apogee: 25 km (15 mi).
After a 15 hour 18 minute countdown G-26 number four finally left the pad. The boost phase was completed successfully; but then a guidance system malfunction prevented the cruise stage from separating from the booster until an altitude of 25 km was reached. However the autopilot successfully overcome drastic pitch oscillations created by the lofted trajectory, and the ramjets were successfully ignited. The stage cruised at Mach 2.93 for 280 km. However then the vehicle began drifting off course. The ground pilot banked, but the fuselage screened the airflow to the left ramjet intake, resulting in that engine flaming out. The vehicle lost speed and altitude, and the right engine flamed out a minute later. The missile was ordered into a terminal dive, impacting 425 km downrange.