Terrier Malemute

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 0.22 m2 (340 sq in) fin panels arranged in a cruciform configuration. The Terrier rocket booster has a diameter of 460 mm (18 in). 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 230 kg (510 lb) payload or 700 km (380 nmi) for a 41 kg (90 lb) payload.[3] For a payload weight of 200 lb (91 kg), the acceleration during the boost phase is 26 g.[4]

The Terrier Improved-Malemute launch vehicle

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]

On 26 November 2019, a Terrier Improved-Malemute suborbital sounding rocket was launched from Ny-Ålesund, Norway. The rocket conducted the ICI-5 mission for NASA and Norwegian research institutes. The purpose of the mission was ionosphere research. The suborbital flight, with an apogee of 252 km (157 mi), was a partial failure as the rocket experienced a roll rate anomaly, precluding the on board instruments from functioning as intended.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Terrier Malemute". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  2. "Terrier Mk.70 Improved Malemute". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  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.
  8. "The ICI-5 sounding rocket launched 07:43:04 UT Nov. 26th from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, into a beautiful red auroral arc". Andøya Space Center. November 27, 2019. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019.
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