 | Aries
Credit - via Andreas Parsch
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Target missile. Year: 1973. Family: Minuteman. Country: USA. Space Vector Corporation developed and flew the Aries test vehicle (based on the Minuteman 1 second stage) for Strategic Defence Initiative payloads. Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch
The retirement of the U.S. Air Force's LGM-30A/B Minuteman I ICBM in the late 1960s and early 1970s made hundreds of high-performance solid-fueled rocket stages surplus. In 1971, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) realized, that the second stage of the Minuteman I could be used to create a powerful single-stage sounding rocket, and contracted Space Vector Corp. (SVC) to build this vehicle. The rocket was initially called "Fat Albert", but the name was soon changed to Aries. The first Aries was successfully launched with a dummy payload on 17 October 1973.
The Aries was essentially an Aerojet M56 solid-propellant rocket stage fitted with four fixed tail fins and a nose cone. The M56 was steered by four gimballed nozzles, and SVC developed a new guidance and control system which was more suited to sounding rockets than the one of the ICBM. Other than most sounding rockets, the Aries was thus a fully guided missile and could therefore be used from relatively confined firing ranges. It was also by far the most powerful single-stage sounding vehicle, and could lift a payload of 820 kg (1800 lb) to more than 320 km (200 miles). The highest apogee reached by an Aries was 512 km (318 miles).
After the first two Aries tests, the configuration was slightly changed. The tail skirt was altered and the original fins (which had been taken from surplus RIM-8 Talos missiles) were replaced by a new design. The Aries was used by NASA to launch especially large and heavy payloads above the atmosphere, like X-ray and UV telescopes. Maximum payload capacity was 1590 kg (3500 lb). USAF and NASA launched more than 20 Aries rockets on scientific missions until the early 1990s.
The Aries was also used by the military as a target launch vehicle for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. The majority of these tests launched targets for the U.S. Navy's RIM-156B SM-2 Block IV A and RIM-161 SM-3 interceptor missiles. Until the end of 2004, a total of more than 50 Aries rockets has been launched, and use as a ballistic missile target vehicle is continuing. Current prime contractor for Aries-type target boosters is Orbital Sciences Corporation, which is calling the rocket the TTV (Target Test Vehicle).
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
- Length 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in) - 10.62 m (34 ft 10 in)
- Diameter 1.13 m (44.4 in)
- Finspan 2.86 m (9 ft 4.5 in)
- Weight 6060 kg (13370 lb) - 7150 kg (15760 lb)
- Altitude > 320 km (200 miles)
- Propulsion Aerojet M56 solid-fueled rocket; 207 kN (46500 lb) for 62 s
Manufacturer: Space Vector. Launches: 52. Failures: 7. Success Rate: 86.54%. First Launch Date: 1973-10-17. Last Launch Date: 2003-12-12. Launch data is: continuing. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 200.000 kN (44,960 lbf). Total Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Core Diameter: 1.16 m (3.80 ft). Total Length: 9.20 m (30.10 ft).
Aries Chronology 1973 October 17 - 21:03 GMT - Launch Site: San Nicolas. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.265. - Test/Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). References: 1592.
1974 June 18 - 14:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.268. - Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1592.
1974 December 27 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.275. FAILURE: Failure. - Crab Occultation Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 1562.
1975 August 18 - 12:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 12.26GT-IT. - IMS Prototype Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 417 km (259 mi). References: 1562.
1976 March 30 - 20:27 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.01IE. FAILURE: Failure. - DLR K-AR-75 Porc. F1 Magnetospheric mission Nation: Germany. Agency: NASA/DLR. Apogee: 360 km (220 mi). References: 1582.
1976 December 16 - 01:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.277. - IMS Test Rocket Test/Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 512 km (318 mi). References: 1836.
1977 January 26 - 08:25 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NRL NB24.276. - Astro 8-1 X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NRL. Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). References: 1836.
1977 March 20 - 19:22 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.02IE. - DLR K-AR-82 Porc. F2 Magnetospheric mission Nation: Germany. Agency: NASA/DLR. Apogee: 460 km (280 mi). References: 1582.
1977 November 11 - 04:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.609-01. - TEM-1 ABM Infrared Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 228 km (141 mi). References: 1592.
1978 June 12 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Astro 8-2. - Astro 8-2 X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 355 km (220 mi). References: 1061.
1979 January 28 - 06:06 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S2-01. - SPICE 1 Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 249 km (154 mi). References: 930.
1979 March 19 - 22:57 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.05IE. - DLR K-AR-92 Porc. F3 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 460 km (280 mi). References: 1582.
1979 March 31 - 22:29 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: A. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.06IE. - DLR K-AR-93 Porc. F4 Magnetospheric mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 452 km (280 mi). References: 1061.
1980 May 21 - 12:08 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.609-02. - TEM-2 ABM Infrared/Ultraviolet Sensor Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 232 km (144 mi). References: 1592.
1980 August 18 - 09:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.6S1-01. - ZIP I (BMP) Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 401 km (249 mi). References: 1592.
1980 September 20 - 01:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.03CH. - LCXT X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). References: 1592.
1981 February 4 - 01:10 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S1-01. - IRBS (BMP) ABM Infrared Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 387 km (240 mi). References: 1592.
1981 April 27 - 23:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.10UG. - Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 263 km (163 mi). References: 1592.
1981 July 31 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.6S1-02. - ZIP II (BMP) Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 395 km (245 mi). References: 1592.
1982 January 23 - 08:00 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S2-02. - FIRSSE (BMP) ABM Infrared Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 378 km (234 mi). References: 1592.
1982 May 28 - 15:47 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.609-03. - TEM-3 ABM Infrared Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). References: 1592.
1982 June 17 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.04UG. - Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). References: 931.
1982 September 15 - 04:49 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.7S2-03. - SPICE 2 Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 359 km (223 mi). References: 1592.
1983 October 25 - 11:46 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.260. - ELC-I Infrared Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 282 km (175 mi). References: 1592.
1983 November 27 - 23:15 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.15UG. - Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 931.
1986 August 24 - 04:40 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.09UH. FAILURE: Failure. - X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). References: 931.
1986 September 5 - 16:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries SDIO. - Delta 180 Target Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 971.
1988 Aug - Launch Site: Eareckson. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Queen Match. - Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1808.
1989 July 13 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.602. - BEAR Active Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 195 km (121 mi). The Beam Experiment Aboard Rocket (BEAR) payload was recovered with minimal damage via parachute after an 11-minute flight to a maximum altitude of 195 km. The neutral partical beam experiment was provided by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Attitude Control System spun-up the payload at various rates and orientations with respect to the earths magnetic field after separation from the booster. After re-entry, at 5,000 m, the nose was jettisoned and the recovery parachute system deployed. The payload impacted the ground at less than 30 feet per second. The BEAR mission was declared a total success by SDIO.References: 780.
1990 April 27 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries GL A24.570. - EXCEDE-3 Active Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi). References: 780.
1990 July 25 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries SPEAR-2. FAILURE: Failure. - Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). References: 981.
1991 May 20 - 07:30 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.11CH. - SXT X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 931.
1991 August 20 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC20. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Red Tigress 1A. FAILURE: Failure. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). References: 987.
1991 October 14 - 10:17 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC20. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries Red Tigress 1B. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). LEAP-1. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO. References: 795.
1992 February 18 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries LEAP 1. - Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). References: 996.
1992 June 19 - 11:01 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries LEAP 2. - Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). LEAP-2. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO. References: 1836.
1992 October 22 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries BP-3. FAILURE: Failure. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: SDIO. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). LEAP-3. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO. References: 997.
1993 June 22 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries LEAP 3. - Technology mission Nation: USA. Agency: BMDO/OSC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1528.
1993 August 28 - 09:45 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NASA 24.17CH. FAILURE: Failure. - SXT X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 931.
1995 February 12 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries LEAP Target. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: BMDO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1808.
1995 March 4 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aries. - LEAP FTV-3 Target Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: BMDO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1531.
1995 March 28 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aries. - LEAP FTV-4 Target Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: BMDO. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). LEAP-4. Missile Tracking and Discrimination for SDIO. References: 1531.
1996 July 9 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries ABIE-TLV. - TBM tracking test Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SMC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). The Airborne Interceptor Experiment) was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of intercepting enemy theater ballistic missiles during early-boost. The Aries Target Launch Vehicle was launched from Wallops Island, flying a boost trajectory similar to a real theater ballistic missile. The missile was detected and tracked by Air Force F-15s, Navy F-14s, an Air Force infrared sensor tracking platform and by fleet surface ships of the US Atlantic Command. The data collected was used to develop an air-launched anti-ballistic missile system.References: 1911.
1998 November 20 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries TTV-1. - TTV-1 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USA SMDC. Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). References: 1908.
2001 January 26 - 03:57 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target. - TTV-2 (FTR-1A) Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 965.
2001 March 19 - Launch Site: Kodiak. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries QRLV-1. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SMC. Apogee: 163 km (101 mi). References: 1958.
2002 January 26 - 02:00 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target. - SMD FM-2 TTV-3 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1953.
2002 April 24 - Launch Site: Kodiak. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries QRLV-2. - Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SMC. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi). References: 1874.
2002 June 14 - 01:23 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target. - SMD FM-3 TTV-4 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1823.
2002 November 22 - 00:30 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries LEAP FM4 Target. - SMD FM-4 TTV-5 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). References: 1823.
2003 June 18 - 23:15 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target. - SMD FM-5 TTV-6 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1504.
2003 December 12 - 18:10 GMT - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Vehicle: Aries. LV Configuration: Aries NTW Aegis Target. - SMD FM-6 TTV-7 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 1954.
Bibliography and Further Reading - McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
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