# RM-90 Blue Scout II

> retired American sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q606040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q606040)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RM-90_Blue_Scout_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rm-90-blue-scout-ii

## Summary
The RM-90 Blue Scout II was a retired American sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle developed by Vought. It was an expendable launch system used primarily for suborbital and low Earth orbit missions, operating from 1961 before being retired in November of that year.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Expendable launch vehicle and sounding rocket
- **Manufacturer**: Vought
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Service Entry**: March 3, 1961
- **Service Retirement**: November 1, 1961
- **Mass**: 16,874 kg (gross weight)
- **Height**: 24 meters
- **Diameter**: 1.02 meters
- **Payload Mass**: 30 kg
- **Subclass**: Solid-propellant rocket
- **Aliases**: Blue Scout II, Blue Scout 2, XRM-90
- **Components**: Included Algol 1, Castor 2, Antares 1A, and Altair 1

## FAQs
### Q: What was the RM-90 Blue Scout II used for?
A: The RM-90 Blue Scout II was primarily used as a sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle for suborbital and low Earth orbit missions.

### Q: Who manufactured the RM-90 Blue Scout II?
A: The rocket was manufactured by Vought, an American aerospace company.

### Q: When was the RM-90 Blue Scout II operational?
A: It was operational from March 3, 1961, until its retirement on November 1, 1961.

### Q: What were the key components of the RM-90 Blue Scout II?
A: The rocket included stages such as Algol 1, Castor 2, Antares 1A, and Altair 1.

### Q: What was the payload capacity of the RM-90 Blue Scout II?
A: The rocket had a payload capacity of 30 kg.

## Why It Matters
The RM-90 Blue Scout II played a significant role in early American space exploration, serving as both a sounding rocket and an orbital launch vehicle. Its brief operational period in 1961 contributed to the development of rocket technology and laid the groundwork for future space missions. Despite its short lifespan, it was part of a broader effort to advance spaceflight capabilities during the early years of the space race. The rocket's design and components, including the Algol 1, Castor 2, Antares 1A, and Altair 1 stages, provided valuable insights into solid-propellant rocket systems. While it was eventually retired, its legacy continues to influence modern rocket engineering and space exploration efforts.

## Notable For
- **Short Operational Lifespan**: Operated for only eight months in 1961, making it one of the shortest-lived major rockets of its era.
- **Solid-Propellant Design**: Utilized solid-propellant rocket stages, which were innovative for its time.
- **Early Space Race Contribution**: Played a role in advancing rocket technology during the early days of the U.S. space program.
- **Modular Staging**: Featured interchangeable stages, including Algol 1, Castor 2, Antares 1A, and Altair 1, allowing for flexibility in mission configurations.
- **Low Payload Capacity**: Despite its size, it had a relatively small payload capacity of 30 kg, reflecting the limitations of early rocket technology.

## Body
### Overview
The RM-90 Blue Scout II was a sounding rocket and orbital launch vehicle developed by Vought. It was part of the Blue Scout family of rockets and was designed for suborbital and low Earth orbit missions. The rocket was operational for a brief period from March 3 to November 1, 1961, before being retired.

### Design and Specifications
The RM-90 Blue Scout II had a gross mass of 16,874 kg, a height of 24 meters, and a diameter of 1.02 meters. It was capable of carrying a payload of 30 kg. The rocket was classified as a solid-propellant rocket, utilizing advanced propulsion technology for its time.

### Components
The rocket included several key stages:
- **Algol 1**: First stage
- **Castor 2**: Second stage
- **Antares 1A**: Third stage
- **Altair 1**: Fourth stage

These stages were designed to be interchangeable, allowing for flexibility in mission configurations.

### Operational History
The RM-90 Blue Scout II was launched from various sites, including Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base. It was used for a variety of missions, including scientific research and satellite deployment. Despite its innovative design, the rocket was retired in November 1961 due to limitations in payload capacity and operational challenges.

### Legacy
The RM-90 Blue Scout II contributed to the development of rocket technology and space exploration. Its modular staging system and solid-propellant design provided valuable insights for future rocket development. While it had a short operational lifespan, it played a role in advancing the capabilities of early American spaceflight.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/b/bluescoutii.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013