Shavetail Explained

Function:	Experimental rocket
Country-Origin:	United States
Stages:	One
Status:	Retired
Sites:	White Sands Missile Range
Launches:	11
First:	August 1959
Last:	October 1959

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.

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]

Operational history

A series of eleven launches of the Shavetail rocket were conducted in late 1959, starting in August and ending in October.^[3] The maximum range of Shavetail was .^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Book: Baker, David . The Rocket: The History and Development of Rocket & Missile Technology . Crown . 1978 . 978-0517534045 . New York . OL4714156M.
• Web site: Parsch . Andreas . 2024 . (Other): "Missile Scrapbook" . 2011-01-19 . Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles . designation-systems.net.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Shavetail . White Sands Missile Range Missile Park . White Sands Missile Range Museum . 2011-01-19.
2. Baker 1978, p.142.
3. Parsch 2024