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Sounding rocket. Country: USA. Status: Retired 1974.

The Ute (TU-715) motor was developed from the Genie motor baseline. Later derivatives were combined with booster or upper stages.

Manufacturer: Thiokol. Launches: 4. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 75.00%. First Launch Date: 1972-03-18. Last Launch Date: 1974-09-24. Launch data is: complete. Version:

Ute Apache.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Ute + 1 x Apache

Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 1972-03-18. Last Launch Date: 1972-03-18. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 60.000 kN (13,488 lbf). Total Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.38 m (1.24 ft). Total Length: 4.20 m (13.70 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Ute Tomahawk-1. Gross Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Empty Mass: 62 kg (136 lb). Motor: 1 x TU-715. Thrust (vac): 85.000 kN (19,108 lbf). Burn time: 4.60 sec. Length: 1.30 m (4.20 ft). Diameter: 0.38 m (1.24 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Paiute Apache-2. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x TE-307. Thrust (vac): 21.000 kN (4,720 lbf). Burn time: 6.00 sec. Length: 2.60 m (8.50 ft). Diameter: 0.17 m (0.55 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Paiute Apache.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Paiute + 1 x Apache

Launches: 1. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1972-03-28. Last Launch Date: 1972-03-28. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 140.000 kN (31,470 lbf). Total Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Core Diameter: 0.38 m (1.24 ft). Total Length: 4.80 m (15.70 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Paiute Apache-1. Gross Mass: 300 kg (660 lb). Empty Mass: 81 kg (178 lb). Motor: 1 x TU-716. Thrust (vac): 186.000 kN (41,814 lbf). Burn time: 3.70 sec. Length: 1.90 m (6.20 ft). Diameter: 0.38 m (1.24 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Paiute Apache-2. Gross Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x TE-307. Thrust (vac): 21.000 kN (4,720 lbf). Burn time: 6.00 sec. Length: 2.60 m (8.50 ft). Diameter: 0.17 m (0.55 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Nike Malemute.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Nike + 1 x Malemute

Launches: 2. First Launch Date: 1974-05-14. Last Launch Date: 1974-09-24. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 217.000 kN (48,783 lbf). Total Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Core Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Total Length: 8.60 m (28.20 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x HJ Nike Nike-3. Gross Mass: 599 kg (1,320 lb). Empty Mass: 256 kg (564 lb). Motor: 1 x M5E1. Thrust (vac): 195.600 kN (43,973 lbf). Burn time: 3.40 sec. Length: 3.60 m (11.80 ft). Diameter: 0.42 m (1.37 ft). Propellants: Solid.
  • Stage2: 1 x Terrier Malemute-2. Gross Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Empty Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Motor: 1 x TU-758. Thrust (vac): 55.100 kN (12,387 lbf). Burn time: 22 sec. Length: 3.30 m (10.80 ft). Diameter: 0.41 m (1.34 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Ute Chronology

1972 March 18 - 09:03 GMT - Poker Flat -. Aurora / airglow mission Agency: NSF. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

1972 March 28 - 12:12 GMT - Poker Flat -. FAILURE: Failure. Aurora mission Agency: NSF. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1974 May 14 - Wallops Island -. Nike Malemute NASA 28.01GT Test mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

1974 September 24 - Wallops Island -. Nike Malemute NASA 28.002GT Test mission Agency: NASA. Apogee: 465 km (288 mi).

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