Doorknob

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Model: Doorknob. Test vehicle. Family: Lacrosse. Other Family: Retired. Country: USA. Status: Retired 1959.

Test vehicle developed by Sandia for aeronomy measurements during atmospheric nuclear tests. One (Doorknob-1) or two surplus Lacrosse (Doorknob-2) missile motors were mated with the payload section.

Manufacturer: Sandia. Launches: 21. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1957-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1959-01-31. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

Model: Doorknob 1. Family: Lacrosse.

Single stage vehicle.

Launches: 7. First Launch Date: 1957-07-27. Last Launch Date: 1959-01-31. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Total Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.53 m (1.73 ft). Total Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Doorknob 1-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Motor: 1 x TX-52. Thrust (vac): 168.000 kN (37,767 lbf). Burn time: 2.60 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Model: Doorknob 2. Family: Lacrosse.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Lacrosse + 1 x Lacrosse

Launches: 14. First Launch Date: 1957-01-01. Last Launch Date: 1958-08-11. Apogee: 84 km (52 mi). Total Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Core Diameter: 0.53 m (1.73 ft). Total Length: 5.70 m (18.70 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Doorknob 1-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Motor: 1 x TX-52. Thrust (vac): 168.000 kN (37,767 lbf). Burn time: 2.60 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Stage2: 1 x Doorknob 1-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Motor: 1 x TX-52. Thrust (vac): 168.000 kN (37,767 lbf). Burn time: 2.60 sec. Length: 2.10 m (6.80 ft). Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Doorknob Chronology

1957 - Tonopah -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Test mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 84 km (52 mi).

1957 April 1 - Tonopah -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Test 17 (last research and development) mission Agency: Sandia.

1957 July 27 - Tonopah -. LV Model: Doorknob 1 . Doorknob-1 Test mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1958 August 1 - Eniwetok -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 84 km (52 mi).

1958 August 1 - 09:50 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 1 . Doorknob-1 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1958 August 1 - 09:50 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi).

1958 August 1 - 09:50 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 1 . Doorknob-1 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1958 August 1 - 09:50 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi).

1958 August 11 - 09:30 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi).

1958 August 11 - 09:30 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 1 . Doorknob-1 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1958 August 11 - 09:30 GMT - Johnston Island -. LV Model: Doorknob 2 . Doorknob-2 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi).

1959 January 31 - Tonopah -. LV Model: Doorknob 1 . Doorknob-1 Aeronomy mission Agency: Sandia. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

Bibliography:

McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.