Object Details
- Summary
- This is the Nike-Ajax booster for the Nike-Cajun, a two-stage, solid-fuel sounding or upper-atmospheric research rocket. It could carry 10-100 pounds of scientific instruments up to 100 miles altitute for experiments like analyzing the composition of the upper atmosphere or obtaining data on radiation, weather, and solar phenomena.
- The Nike-Cajun used a standard Nike-Ajax missile booster as the first stage and a Cajun as the second stage. It was one of the most widely used sounding rockets. Operational in 1956, they saw service during the International Geophysicial Year of 1957-1958. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
- Alternate Name
- Nike-Cajun Sounding Rocket
- Credit Line
- Transferred from National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
- ca. 1957
- Inventory Number
- A19580045000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- ARMAMENT-Missiles
- Materials
- Steel body; magnesium nose with minor magnesium pitting; removable shroud over booster nozzle, aluminum; nozzle, booster, steel; fins and fins shrouding, magnesium; liner inside booster, asbestos, but now encapsulated.
- Dimensions
- Overall: 13 ft. 3 1/4 in. long x 1 ft. 4 1/2 in. diameter (404.5 x 41.91cm)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Hangar
- James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19580045000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv966007c99-c345-44c7-b7d6-1e75f4d30800
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