Shavetail
American rocket
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shavetail was an experimental American rocket developed during the 1950s. Used to evaluate the rapidly developing technology of rocketry, eleven Shavetail rockets were fired during 1959.
FunctionExperimental rocket
Country of originUnited States
Height9 feet (2.7 m)
Diameter6 inches (150 mm)
| |
| Function | Experimental rocket |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 9 feet (2.7 m) |
| Diameter | 6 inches (150 mm) |
| Mass | 200 pounds (91 kg) |
| Stages | One |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | White Sands Missile Range |
| Total launches | 11 |
| First flight | August 1959 |
| Last flight | October 1959 |
Design and development
Intended to assist in the development of rocket and missile technologies, Shavetail was a small, inexpensive, unguided solid-fueled rocket that was capable of being modified to be tested in various configurations.[1] Among the systems tested was one to ensure precise payload separation at motor burnout.[2]