Cajun (rocket)
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 | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | NASA/Thiokol |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 2.64 metres (8.66 ft) |
| Diameter | 200 millimetres (8 in) |
| Mass | 75 kilograms (166 lb) |
| Stages | One |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Wallops Island, Churchill, Eglin AFB, others |
| Total launches | 802 |
| Failure | 33 |
| First flight | June 20, 1956 |
| Last flight | October 6, 1976 |
The Cajun was an American sounding rocket developed during the 1950s. It was extensively used for scientific experiments by NASA and the United States military between 1956 and 1976.
Development of the Cajun sounding rocket began in early 1956 at the Pilotless Aircraft Research Division (PARD) of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics' - later NASA - Langley Research Center, as a development of the earlier Deacon experimental rocket.[1] Utilising the Deacon's airframe but an improved motor that utilised new, higher-energy propellants to provide better performance, the name "Cajun" was applied to the rocket by the leader of PARD's rocket division, a native of New Orleans.[1]
The Cajun rocket was constructed of stainless steel, with extruded Duraluminum stabilising fins.[2] The rocket motor, developed by Thiokol,[1] was capable of producing up to 9,600 lbf (42.7 kN) thrust.[2]