Nike-Apache
Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA
title: "Nike-Apache" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["nasa-space-launch-vehicles", "nike-(rocket-family)", "equipment-of-the-united-states-air-force"] description: "Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike-Apache" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rocket"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | Nike-Apache on USNS Croatan.jpg |
| caption | A Nike-Apache aboard USNS Croatan |
| name | Nike-Apache |
| function | Sounding rocket |
| manufacturer | Aerolab/Atlantic Research |
| country-origin | United States |
| cpl | $6,000 USD |
| height | 8.53 m |
| diameter | 0.42 m |
| mass | 727 kg |
| stages | Two |
| location | 160 km |
| kilos | 45.4 kg |
| status | Retired |
| sites | Multiple |
| launches | 636 |
| first | 17 February 1961 |
| last | 27 September 1978 |
| stagedata | |
| type | stage |
| stageno | First |
| name | Nike |
| number | One |
| diameter | 0.42 m |
| engines | 1 x ABL M5 |
| solid | yes |
| thrust | 217 kN |
| burntime | 3.5 s |
| fuel | solid |
| type | stage |
| stageno | Second |
| name | Apache |
| number | One |
| diameter | 0.165 m |
| engines | 1 x Thiokol TE-307-2 |
| solid | yes |
| thrust | 21.1 kN |
| burntime | 6 s |
| fuel | solid |
| :: |
|image = Nike-Apache on USNS Croatan.jpg |caption = A Nike-Apache aboard USNS Croatan |name = Nike-Apache |function = Sounding rocket |manufacturer = Aerolab/Atlantic Research |country-origin = United States |cpl = $6,000 USD |height = 8.53 m |diameter = 0.42 m |mass = 727 kg |stages = Two |location = 160 km |kilos = 45.4 kg |status = Retired |sites = Multiple |launches = 636 |first = 17 February 1961 |last = 27 September 1978 |stagedata = |type = stage |stageno = First |name = Nike |number = One |diameter = 0.42 m |engines = 1 x ABL M5 |solid = yes |thrust = 217 kN |burntime = 3.5 s |fuel = solid |type = stage |stageno = Second |name = Apache |number = One |diameter = 0.165 m |engines = 1 x Thiokol TE-307-2 |solid = yes |thrust = 21.1 kN |burntime = 6 s |fuel = solid 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.
Development
The TE-307-2 Apache rocket motor was developed by Thiokol as an improvement of its Cajun series of rockets; the Apache was similar in appearance to Cajun, but had an improved propellant that allowed for better performance. Combined with a M5 Nike rocket booster for its first stage by Aerolab, the Nike-Apache sounding rocket was capable of lifting 100 lb of instruments to an apogee of 100 mi.
Operational history
The first launch of Nike-Apache was conducted by the United States Air Force on 17 February 1961. Popular due to its low cost (US$6,000) 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.
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 . Nike Apache was the first rocket launched by India from the TERLS (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station) of Kerala in November 1963.
The Nike-Apache configuration was also used by one variation of the U.S. Army's MQR-13 BMTS target rocket.
References
References
- Parsch, Andreas. (12 July 2004). "Atlantic Research (Aerolab) Nike-Apache". Designation-Systems.
- "Nike Apache".
- Corliss, William R.. (1971). "NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968: A Historical Summary". NASA Scientific and Technical Information Office.
- "Atlantic Research Nike-Apache".
- Space Science Board. (1966). "Space Research: Directions for the Future". National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council.
- Howard, David. (1965). "Astronautics Year: An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964". Pergamon Press.
- Pandey, B. K.. (July–September 2010). "Space: the emerging battleground". Indian Defence Review.
- Parsch, Andreas. (22 October 2002). "USAMICOM MQR-13 BMTS". Designation-Systems.
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