Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is the X-259, or Antares II, the third-stage, solid-fuel rocket motor for the all-solid fuel U.S. Scout launch vehicle. Antares II produced about 23,500 pounds of thrust. Like the other stages of the Scout, Antares was named after a star constellation. (The Scout's first, second, and fourth stages were the Algol, Castor, and Altair, respectively.)

The Scout was conceived in 1958 as a low-cost launch vehicle for light payloads. The first Scout was launched in 1960 and continued as a very successful vehicle. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1968 by the Alleghany Ballistic Laboratory.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date ca. 1968 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory, Hercules Incorporated
 Dimensions Overall: 2 ft. 4 in. wide x 9 ft. 6 1/2 in. long x 2 ft. 5 in. diameter, 200 lb. (71.12 x 290.83 x 73.66cm, 90.7kg)
 Materials Filament-wound, resin-bonded glass fiber body with asbestos-filled SBR rubber. Windings by circumferential wraps of glass fiber coated with catalyzed epoxy resin. Aluminum nozzle fixture rings. Aluminum skirt rings bolted underneath forward dome.
 Inventory Number A19680240000 Credit Line Gift of Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.