https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Nike-ApacheNike-Apache - Revision history2026-09-07T09:59:35ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nike-Apache&diff=416807&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-08-21T07:16:53Z<p>Created a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA}}<br />
{{Infobox rocket<br />
|image = Nike-Apache on USNS Croatan.jpg<br />
|caption = A Nike-Apache aboard USNS ''Croatan''<br />
|name = Nike-Apache<br />
|function = [[Sounding rocket]]<br />
|manufacturer = Aerolab/Atlantic Research<br />
|country-origin = United States<br />
|cpl = $6,000 [[USD]]<br />
|height = {{convert|8.31|m|abbr=on}}<br />
|diameter = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}<br />
|mass = {{convert|760|kg|abbr=on}}<br />
|stages = Two<br />
{{Infobox rocket/payload<br />
|location = {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}}<br />
|kilos = {{convert|45.4|kg|abbr=on}}<br />
}}<br />
|status = Retired<br />
|sites = Multiple<br />
|launches = 636<br />
|first = 17 February 1961<br />
|last = 27 September 1978<!--EA lists three 1980 launches from Andoya, were these actually Nike-Ajax?--><br />
|stagedata = <!--insert one of the following templates for each stage:--><br />
{{Infobox rocket/stage<br />
|type = stage<br />
|stageno = First<br />
|name = Nike<br />
|number = One<br />
|diameter = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}<br />
|engines = 1 x ABL M5<br />
|solid = yes<br />
|thrust = {{convert|217|kN|abbr=on}}<br />
|burntime = 3.5 s<br />
|fuel = solid<br />
}}<br />
{{Infobox rocket/stage<br />
|type = stage<br />
|stageno = Second<br />
|name = Apache<br />
|number = One<br />
|diameter = {{convert|0.203|m|abbr=on}}<br />
|engines = 1 x Thiokol TE-307-2<br />
|solid = yes<br />
|thrust = {{convert|21.1|kN|abbr=on}}<br />
|burntime = 6 s<br />
|fuel = solid<br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
The '''Nike Apache''', also known as '''Argo B-13''', was a two-stage [[sounding rocket]] developed by [[Aerolab]], later [[Atlantic Research]], for use by the [[United States Air Force]] and [[NASA]]. It became the standard NASA sounding rocket and was launched over 600 times between 1961 and 1978.<br />
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==Development==<br />
The TE-307-2 Apache rocket motor was developed by [[Thiokol]] as an improvement of its [[Cajun (rocket)|Cajun]] series of rockets; the Apache was similar in appearance to Cajun, but had an improved propellant that allowed for better performance.<ref name="DS1"/> Combined with a M5 [[Project Nike|Nike]] rocket booster for its first stage by Aerolab,<ref name="DS1">Parsch 2004</ref> the Nike-Apache sounding rocket was capable of lifting {{convert|100|lb}} of instruments to an [[apogee]] of {{convert|100|mi}}.<ref name="Cor">Corliss 1971, p.82.</ref><br />
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==Operational history==<br />
The first launch of Nike-Apache was conducted by the [[United States Air Force]] on 17 February 1961.<ref name="DS1"/> Popular due to its low cost (US$6,000)<ref>Space Science Board 1966, p. 376.</ref> and ability to be fired from many locales, 636 launches were conducted between 1961 and 1978, with the final launch of a Nike-Apache taking place in September 1978.<ref name="DS1"/><br />
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The Nike Apache was used to carry a variety of payloads to study a wide range of topics including radio astronomy, meteorology, [[aeronomy]], atmospheric conditions, plasma physics, and solar physics. NASA flew them from Brazil, Canada, India, Norway, Pakistan, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, all across the US, and off of the converted [[escort carrier]] {{USNS|Croatan|T-AKV-43|6}}.<ref>Howard 1965, p.159.</ref> Nike Apache was the first rocket launched by India from the TERLS ([[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station]]) of [[Kerala]] in November 1963.<ref>Pandey 2010, p.22.</ref><br />
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The Nike-Apache configuration was also used by one variation of the U.S. Army's [[MQR-13 BMTS]] target rocket.<ref>Parsch 2002</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
;Citations<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
;Bibliography<br />
{{refbegin}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Corliss|first=William R.|authorlink=William R. Corliss|title=NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968: A Historical Summary|series=NASA Historical Report Series|volume=SP-4401|year=1971|publisher=NASA Scientific and Technical Information Office|location=Washington, D.C.|asin=B0006C0SRW}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Howard|first=David|title=Astronautics Year: An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964|publisher=Pergamon Press|location=Oxford, England|year=1965|asin=B01DT2D31I}}<br />
*{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/r-13.html|title=USAMICOM MQR-13 BMTS|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=22 October 2002|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}<br />
*{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/nike-apache.html|title=Atlantic Research (Aerolab) Nike-Apache|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=12 July 2004|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}<br />
*{{cite magazine|last=Pandey|first=B. K.|date=July–September 2010|title=Space: the emerging battleground|magazine=Indian Defence Review|publisher=Indian Defence Review|location=New Delhi|volume=25|issue=3|page=22|issn=0970-2512}}<br />
*{{cite book|author=Space Science Board|title=Space Research: Directions for the Future|publisher=National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council|location=Washington, D.C.|year=1966|asin=B001KUTZJG}}<br />
{{refend}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
{{commonscat-inline|Nike Apache}}<br />
* [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19670015760 Nike-Apache rocket performance handbook] at NASA Technical Reports Server<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161026014209/http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeapache.html Nike Apache] at Encyclopedia Astronautica<br />
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{{Nike rockets}}<br />
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[[Category:NASA space launch vehicles]]<br />
[[Category:Nike (rocket family)]]<br />
[[Category:Equipment of the United States Air Force]]</div>Ajay Kumar