Sparrow Arcas
Sounding rocket. Year: 1965. Family: Sparrow. Country: USA.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sparrow + 1 x HV Arcas

The HV Arcas was a modification of the basic Arcas with larger fins for use at high altitude and a modified aft section to mate with the interstage to the first stage. The rocket was launched from a 4.6 m rail and their was a six second coast after Sparrow burnout before Arcas ignited. Canted fins provide both stages a roll of 8 to 15 rpm for stability. The rocket was originally designed to measure air density over the Pacific Missile Range, and later used by the military for study of the mesophere and ionosphere.

Launches: 19. First Launch Date: 1964-12-16. Last Launch Date: 1974-01-01. Launch data is: incomplete. Payload: 5.50 kg (12.10 lb). Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 35.000 kN (7,868 lbf). Total Mass: 94 kg (207 lb). Core Diameter: 0.20 m (0.65 ft). Total Length: 3.84 m (12.59 ft). Span: 0.81 m (2.67 ft). Boost engine: Sparrow C-8 Mk 6 Mod 3.

Sparrow Arcas Chronology

1964 December 16 - Launch Site: San Nicolas. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas.

  • Denpro II Meteorological mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1222.
1964 December 17 - Launch Site: San Nicolas. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas.
  • Denpro III Meteorological mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 1222.
1965 November 2 - 23:35 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas S-1.
  • IQSY release Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 134 km (83 mi). References: 1592.
1965 November 11 - 04:15 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas S-2.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi). References: 1592.
1965 November 18 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas NA-HANNAH /S-6.
  • Aeronomy/Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 137 km (85 mi). Sparrow Arcas NA-HANNAH /S-6 References: 1592.
1965 November 18 - 05:20 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas S-3.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). References: 1592.
1965 November 18 - 02:20 GMT - Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas NA-FLORA /S-4.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). Sparrow Arcas NA-FLORA /S-4 References: 1592.
1969 November 30 - 02:58 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas.
  • Arcas VII Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Plasma mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 785.
1970 August 4 - 12:05 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas.
  • Arcas VIII Ionosphere mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NTNF. Apogee: 85 km (52 mi). References: 785.
1971 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1971 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1971 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1971 March 22 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 112 km (69 mi). References: 930.
1971 April 6 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 108 km (67 mi). References: 930.
1971 April 7 - 06:00 GMT - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi). References: 930.
1972 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1972 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1973 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
1974 - Launch Site: Thule AFB. Launch Vehicle: Sparrow Arcas. LV Configuration: Sparrow Arcas PCA.
  • Ionosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: AFCRL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 572.
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.
  • Alway, Peter, Rockets of the World, Saturn Press, Ann Arbor, 1995. ISBN: 0962787655. Comprehensive account of world rocketry, from the beginning 'til now, from sounding rockets to Saturns. Oriented toward rocket modellers, with accurate drawings and color guides. More at amazon.com...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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