Editing Nike-Apache

{{Short description|Two-stage sounding rocket used by NASA}}
{{Infobox rocket
|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         = {{convert|8.31|m|abbr=on}}
|diameter       = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}
|mass           = {{convert|760|kg|abbr=on}}
|stages         = Two
  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  |location     = {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}}
  |kilos        = {{convert|45.4|kg|abbr=on}}
  }}
|status         = Retired
|sites          = Multiple
|launches       = 636
|first          = 17 February 1961
|last           = 27 September 1978<!--EA lists three 1980 launches from Andoya, were these actually Nike-Ajax?-->
|stagedata      = <!--insert one of the following templates for each stage:-->
  {{Infobox rocket/stage
  |type         = stage
  |stageno      = First
  |name         = Nike
  |number       = One
  |diameter     = {{convert|0.42|m|abbr=on}}
  |engines      = 1 x ABL M5
  |solid        = yes
  |thrust       = {{convert|217|kN|abbr=on}}
  |burntime     = 3.5 s
  |fuel         = solid
  }}
  {{Infobox rocket/stage
  |type         = stage
  |stageno      = Second
  |name         = Apache
  |number       = One
  |diameter     = {{convert|0.203|m|abbr=on}}
  |engines      = 1 x Thiokol TE-307-2
  |solid        = yes
  |thrust       = {{convert|21.1|kN|abbr=on}}
  |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 (rocket)|Cajun]] series of rockets; the Apache was similar in appearance to Cajun, but had an improved propellant that allowed for better performance.<ref name="DS1"/> Combined with a M5 [[Project Nike|Nike]] rocket booster for its first stage by Aerolab,<ref name="DS1">{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/nike-apache.html|title=Atlantic Research (Aerolab) Nike-Apache|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=12 July 2004|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nike Apache |url=http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeapache.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.astronautix.com}}</ref> the Nike-Apache sounding rocket was capable of lifting {{convert|100|lb}} of instruments to an [[apogee]] of {{convert|100|mi}}.<ref name="Cor">{{cite book|last=Corliss|first=William R.|authorlink=William R. Corliss|title=NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968: A Historical Summary|series=NASA Historical Report Series|volume=SP-4401|year=1971|publisher=NASA Scientific and Technical Information Office|location=Washington, D.C.|page=82|asin=B0006C0SRW}}</ref>

==Operational history==
The first launch of Nike-Apache was conducted by the [[United States Air Force]] on 17 February 1961.<ref name="DS1"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlantic Research Nike-Apache |url=https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/nike-apache.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.designation-systems.net}}</ref> Popular due to its low cost (US$6,000)<ref>{{cite book|author=Space Science Board|title=Space Research: Directions for the Future|publisher=National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council|location=Washington, D.C.|year=1966|asin=B001KUTZJG|page=376}}</ref> 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.<ref name="DS1"/>

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)|plasma]] physics, and [[solar physics]]. 

NASA flew them from [[Brazil]], [[Canada]], [[India]], [[Norway]], [[Pakistan]], [[Spain]], [[Suriname]], [[Sweden]], all across the [[United States|US]], and off of the converted [[escort carrier]] {{USNS|Croatan|T-AKV-43|6}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Howard|first=David|title=Astronautics Year: An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964|publisher=Pergamon Press|location=Oxford, England|year=1965|page=159|asin=B01DT2D31I}}</ref> Nike Apache was the first rocket launched by India from the TERLS ([[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station]]) of [[Kerala]] in November 1963.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pandey|first=B. K.|date=July–September 2010|title=Space: the emerging battleground|magazine=Indian Defence Review|publisher=Indian Defence Review|location=New Delhi|volume=25|issue=3|page=22|issn=0970-2512}}</ref>

The Nike-Apache configuration was also used by one variation of the U.S. Army's [[MQR-13 BMTS]] target rocket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/r-13.html|title=USAMICOM MQR-13 BMTS|last=Parsch|first=Andreas|date=22 October 2002|website=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles|publisher=Designation-Systems|accessdate=2017-12-07}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|Nike Apache}}
* [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19670015760 Nike-Apache rocket performance handbook] at NASA Technical Reports Server
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161026014209/http://www.astronautix.com/n/nikeapache.html Nike Apache] at Encyclopedia Astronautica

{{Nike rockets}}

[[Category:NASA space launch vehicles]]
[[Category:Nike (rocket family)]]
[[Category:Equipment of the United States Air Force]]