X-17 Credit - via Andreas Parsch

USAF X-17 flight test program at Cape Canaveral studied reentry problems by simulating reentry velocities and conditions with a three-stage solid-fuel Lockheed X-17. A total of 26 X-17 flights were conducted until March 1957.

Manufacturer: Lockheed. Launches: 58. Failures: 7. Success Rate: 87.93%. First Launch Date: 1955-05-23. Last Launch Date: 1958-09-06. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 220.000 kN (49,450 lbf). Total Mass: 3,400 kg (7,400 lb). Core Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Total Length: 12.30 m (40.30 ft).

3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Sergeant + 3 x Recruit + 1 x Recruit

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Lockheed X-17

When the USAF's long-range ballistic missile development got underway in 1953/54, it was realized that there was no data available about the aerothermodynamics of the atmospheric reentry of a missile nose cone at very high speeds. To fulfill the need for a dedicated research vehicle, Lockheed received a contract for the design and construction of the X-17 missile in January 1955. The X-17 was a multistage vehicle using available and proven rocket motors and a relatively simple control system. Therefore the design phase was very short, and the first quarter-scale proof-of-concept vehicle was already launched in May 1955.

The X-17 was powered by three solid-propellant rocket stages. The first stage, consisting of a single Thiokol XM20 Sergeant motor, had four stabilizing fins and two small external (strap-on) spin motors, which were jettisoned shortly after launch. After first stage shutdown, the missile coasted to an apogee of about 150 km (500000 ft), where it pitched over for a nose-down reentry. At an altitude of around 21 - 27 km (70000 - 90000 ft), the first stage was separated, immediately followed by firing of the short duration second and third stage motors. At burnout of the final stage, the X-17 had reached a speed between Mach 11 and Mach 14.5, depending on reentry angle. Equipment of the missile included a telemetry system and an AN/DPN-19 radar beacon to facilitate tracking.

Three launches of quarter-scale vehicles were followed by three half-scale missiles in June and July 1955, and then by six full-scale development vehicles between August 1955 and March 1956. A problem with second/third stage performance lead to a slight delay in the program. The first actual X-17 research missile was finally launched in April 1956, followed by 25 additional flights until March 1957. The program achieved all its objectives, and several different nose cone shapes were tested under high-speed reentry conditions.

In 1958, seven more X-17 missiles were built for Project "Argus", which tested the effects of nuclear explosions outside the atmosphere. For this purpose, all three stages of the X-17 were fired during the climb phase, allowing the missile to reach altitudes of up to 480 km (300 miles). Four unarmed "Argus" launches were followed by three nuclear shots (with yields of 1-2 kT) during August and September 1958.

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for X-17:

[1] Jay Miller: "The X-Planes X-1 to X-45", Midland Publishing, 2001
[2] Peter Alway: "Rockets of the World", Saturn Press, 1999

Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 220.000 kN (49,450 lbf). Total Mass: 3,400 kg (7,400 lb). Core Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Total Length: 12.30 m (40.30 ft).

3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x 3-DS-47000 + 3 x NOTS 124-C + 1 x NOTS 124-C

Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 209.000 kN (46,985 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Total Length: 5.00 m (16.40 ft).

3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x 3-DS-47000 + 1 x Dummy stage + 1 x Dummy stage

Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 209.000 kN (46,985 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Total Length: 5.00 m (16.40 ft).

3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x T-40 + 1 x Dummy stage + 1 x Dummy stage

Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 13.000 kN (2,922 lbf). Total Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Total Length: 2.50 m (8.20 ft).

1952 - 1956 - Launch Vehicle: X-17.

• NACA research on reentry configurations. Nation: USA. Personnel of NACA Langley and Ames Aeronautical Laboratories were engaged in research on aerodynamic characteristics of reentry configurations. Knowledge acquired from these efforts along with those of industry and the military services was used in Project Mercury, proved the ablation theory for the Army's Jupiter missile development program, and was used in the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile nose cone reentry program.References: 483.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 11 km (6 mi). References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi). References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 48.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 132 km (82 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi). References: 872.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). USAF X-17 flight test program started at Cape Canaveral to study reentry problems by simulating reentry velocities and conditions with three-stage solid-fuel Lockheed X-17. A total of 26 X-17 flights were conducted until March 1957. References: 17, 872.

• 4203-3 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 142 km (88 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-4 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. References: 872.

• 4203-2 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. References: 872.

• 4203-5 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 142 km (88 mi). A five-stage, solid-fuel rocket test vehicle, the world's first, was launched to a speed of mach 15 from Wallops Island, Va. by the NACA Langley Aeronautical Laboratory's Pilotless Aircraft Research Division. References: 483, 872.

• 4203-6 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-7 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 394 km (244 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-8 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 145 km (90 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-9 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-10 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 102 km (63 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-11 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-12 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-13 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-14 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-15 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 143 km (88 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-16 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-17 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 144 km (89 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-18 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-19 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-20 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. References: 872.

• 4203-21 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-22 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 141 km (87 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-23 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 151 km (93 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-A3 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 134 km (83 mi). References: 872.

• 4203-A4 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 6555ATW. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi). References: 872.

• 4-204-1A? re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• X-17 reaches 9,000 mph. Nation: USA. Lockheed X-17 research rocket reached 9,000 mph at Patrick AFB, Fla. References: 17.

• 4-204-1B? re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). References: 872.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 796.

• Argus test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). References: 1807.

• Argus test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). References: 1807.

• Argus test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). References: 1807.

• Argus I Nuclear Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi). The Argus series were the only clandestine nuclear tests ever conducted by the United States. The rocket-launched nuclear warheads were set off at very high altitudes over the South Atlantic, 1800 km south-west of Capetown, South Africa. The purpose was to determine the effects of nuclear explosions on the Earth's magnetic field and the impact to military radar, communications, satellites and ballistic missiles electronics. The earth's magnetic field is not only off-axis from the earth, but also off centre from the earth's core. This means the Van Allen Radiation belts are closest to the earth in the region known as the 'South Atlantic Anomaly'. This made the selected launch point the ideal place for launching a rocket into the lower belt where the particles and radiation from the explosion would be trapped.

  The 1.7 kiloton W-25 warhead used had been developed and previously tested for the Genie air-to-air missile. The first test was launched from vessel AVM1 at 38.5 deg S, 11.5 deg. W, and exploded at an altitude of 160 km. The initial flash was followed by an auroral luminescence extending upward and downward along the magnetic lines where the burst occurred. The experiment verified the predicitons made in the original October 1957 proposal by N. C. Christofilos of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Livermore.References: 1121.

• Argus II Nuclear Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 294 km (182 mi). Second covert Argus launch to study effect of nuclear explosions on the Van Allen radiation belts. The rocket was launched from vessel AVM1 at 49.5 deg South, 8.2 deg West; altitude reached 294 km; yield of the nuclear warhead, 1.7 kilotons. References: 1121.

• Argus III Nuclear Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 750 km (460 mi). Third and final covert Argus launch to study effect of nuclear explosions on the Van Allen radiation belts. The rocket was launched from vessel AVM1 at 48.5 deg South, 9.7 deg West ; altitude reached 750 km; yield of the nuclear warhead, 1.7 kilotons. References: 1121.

• X-17s used for rocket launch of nuclear tests. Nation: USA. Deputy Secretary of Defense Quarles announced that three atomic blasts were secretly fired in space (Project Argus) in 1958, using modified X-17 rockets. References: 17.

• 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.

• Miller, Jay,, The X-Planes, Aerofax, Arlington, Texas, 1988. ISBN: 1857801091. Tremendous account of the entire X- experimental series of US aircraft, including the rocket planes X-1, X-15, and X-20. Another outstanding Jay Miller book. More at amazon.com...