Portal:Spaceflight/Selected article/Week 5 2009

The NOTS-EV-1 Pilot, also known as NOTSNIK was an expendable launch system and anti-satellite weapon developed by the United States Navy Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS). Ten were launched during July and August 1958, all of which failed. It was the first air-launched rocket to be used for an orbital launch attempt, however none were recorded as having reached orbit. The Pilot rocket was part of Project Pilot.

Two variants of the Pilot rocket were built; the Pilot-1 was used for ground launched atmospheric tests from China Lake, and the Pilot-2, an air-launched version, was used for orbital launch attempts. Of the ten launches, four were of Pilot-1s, and the rest Pilot-2s. Project Pilot was cancelled in August 1958, and replaced by the NOTS-EV-2 Caleb. (more...)