Terrier Malemute

The Terrier Malemute launch vehicle

The Terrier Malemute is a two-stage American sounding rocket typically used for smaller payloads (less than 180 kg [400 lb]).[1] Both the Terrier first stage and the Malemute second stage use solid fuel. The Terrier burns for approximately 5.2 seconds, and the Malemute burns for approximately 21.5 seconds. The first stage booster consists of a surplus Navy Terrier MK 12 Mod 1 rocket motor with four 340-square-inch (0.22 m2) fin panels arranged in a cruciform configuration. The Terrier rocket booster has a diameter of 18 inches (460 mm). The second stage solid rocket is a Thiokol Malemute TU-758 rocket motor, specially designed for high altitude research rocket applications.[2] Apogee is approximately 400 km (220 nmi) for a 500 lb (230 kg) payload or 700 km (380 nmi) for a 91 lb (41 kg) payload.[3] For a payload weight of 200 lb (91 kg), the acceleration during the boost phase is 26 g.[4]

A version with an Improved Malemute upper stage, the Terrier Improved Malemute, has made two successful test flights[5] and two failed attempts.[6] Two of these rockets were successfully used in 2012 in the Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment (ATREX) upper atmospheric study.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Terrier Malemute". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  2. ↑ http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/terrier_imp-malemute.htm
  3. ↑ "Terrier-Malemute". Mission Planning Lab Capability Catalog.
  4. ↑ "NASA's Terrier Improved Malemute Rocket". NASA. May 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ↑ "Sounding Rocket Program Office". Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Sounding Rocket Flight Ends Prematurely". Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  7. ↑ "NASA - Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment". Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  • "Terrier-Malemute – information brochure" (PDF). NASA.
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