Altair (rocket stage)

Short description: Solid-fuel rocket

Diagram showing Altair as 4th stage of the Scout B rocket.

The Altair was a solid-fuel rocket with a fiberglass casing, initially developed for use as the third stage of Vanguard rockets in 1959.[1] It was manufactured by Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) as the X-248. It was also sometimes called the Burner 1.

## Contents

* 1 Altair
* 2 Altair 2
* 3 See also
* 4 References

## Altair

The X-248 was one of two third-stage designs used during Project Vanguard. Early launches used a stage developed by the Grand Central Rocket Company, but later launches used the X-248 which enabled the Vanguard to launch more massive payloads.

The X-248 was used as the second stage of some early Thor flights. These vehicles were designated "Thor-Burner".

Altairs were used as the third stage of early Delta rockets.

The fourth stage of the Scout rocket also used the "Altair" stage.

## Altair 2

The Altair 2 (X-258) Thiokol solid rocket engine first flew in 1963 and was the kick stage motor for Delta D, Scout A, Scout X-4, and Orbiting Vehicle[2] satellites. It was retired in 1973.[3]

## See also

* Algol (rocket stage)
* Castor (rocket stage)

## References

1. ↑ Launius, Roger D.; Dennis R. Jenkins (2002). To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 186–213. ISBN 0813127211. https://books.google.com/books?id=mUNS96ZHyNUC.
2. ↑ Heyman, Jos (2005-04-12). "OV". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Designation Systems. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app3/ov.html.
3. ↑ Wade, Mark. "Altair 2". http://www.astronautix.com/a/altair2.html.

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Upper stages

Active|

* AVUM
* Briz
* Castor 30
* Centaur
* CTS / SMA
* DCSS
* DM-03
* Fregat
* Star 27 / 37 / 48
* Volga
* Yuanzheng

Planned|

* Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage
* Exploration Upper Stage
* KVTK

Retired|

* Agena
* Able
* Altair
* Astris
* Blok 2BL
* Blok D
* Burner
* Delta-D
* Delta-K
* Delta-P
* EPKM
* FG-02
* Ikar
* Inertial Upper Stage
* KVD-1
* Payload Assist Module
* Saturn IV
* Saturn IVB
* Transfer Orbit Stage
* Transtage

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