Able (rocket stage)
The Able rocket stage was a
UDMH as rocket propellants. The Able rocket stage was discontinued in 1960. The improved Ablestar version was used as the upper stage of the Thor-Ablestar two stage launcher. The Ablestar second stage was an enlarged version of the Able rocket stage, which gave the Thor-Ablestar a greater payload capacity compared to the earlier Thor-Able. It also incorporated restart capabilities, allowing a multiple-burn trajectory to be flown, further increasing payload, or allowing the rocket to reach different orbits. It was the first rocket to be developed with such a capability and development of the stage took a mere eight months.[1]
A version of the
Apollo Service Module.[2]
The Able stage name represents its place as the first in the series, from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet.[3]
To save weight Aerojet used an
Soviet union.[citation needed
] The AJ10 engines used in the Able rocket stage continue to be used on later rockets and are still in use.
In honor of the rocket stage during an rhesus monkey name Miss Able, flew with Miss Baker on May 28, 1959.[5]
Specifications
- Loaded gross mass: 1,884 kg (4,154 lb)
- Empty (unfueled) mass 429 kg (946 lb)
- Thrust 34.69 kN (7,800 lbf)
- Specific impulse (vacuum) 270 seconds (2.6 km/s)
- Height: 5.67 m (18.6 ft)
- Diameter: 0.81 m (2 ft 8 in)
- Span: 0.84 m (2 ft 9 in)
- Burn time: 115 seconds.
See also
- Thor (rocket family)
- Atlas-Able
- Thor-Ablestar
- Multistage rocket
- Three-stage-to-orbit
- Two-stage-to-orbit
- Single-stage-to-orbit
References
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
- ^ The First Space Race: Launching the World's First Satellites, By Matt Bille, Erika Lishock, page 163 and page 174
- ^ Helen T. Wells; Susan H. Whiteley; Carrie E. Karegeannes. Origin of NASA Names. NASA Science and Technical Information Office. p. 5.
- ^ astronautix.com Able Stage
- ^ David Darling, Able