View source for Lockheed X-17

{{Short description|Experimental solid-fuel research rocket}}
{{Redirect|X-17||X17 (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox weapon
 | is_missile        = yes
 | name              = Lockheed X-17
 | image             = Lockheed X-17 horizontal.jpg
 | image_size        = 300
 | caption           = 
 | origin            = 
 | type              = [[Atmospheric reentry]] testing
 | used_by           = 
 | manufacturer      = [[Lockheed Corporation]]
 | unit_cost         = 
 | propellant        = 
 | production_date   = 
 | service           = 
 | engine            = 1st stage:1× [[Thiokol]] [[XM20]] [[Sergeant (rocket)|Sergeant]] solid-fuel [[rocket]], {{convert|48,000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}<br>2nd stage: 3× [[Thiokol XM19]] Recruit solid-fuel rocket, {{convert|33,900|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} (each)<br>3rd stage: 1× [[Thiokol XM19|Thiokol XM19E1]] Recruit solid-fuel rocket, {{convert|35,950|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
 | engine_power      = 
 | weight            = 
 | length            = {{convert|40|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}}
|height=
 | diameter          = 1st stage: {{convert|2|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on}}<br>2nd stage: {{convert|1|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on}}<br>3rd stage: {{convert|0|ft|9.7|in|m|abbr=on}}
 | wingspan          = {{convert|7|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on}}
 | speed             = Mach 14.5
 | vehicle_range     = {{convert|135|mi|km}}
 | ceiling           = 
 | altitude          = {{convert|250|mi|km|abbr=on}}
|filling=
 | guidance          = 
 | detonation        = 
 | launch_platform   = 
}}

The '''Lockheed X-17''' was a three-stage solid-fuel research rocket to test the effects of high mach [[atmospheric reentry]]. The first stage of the X-17 carried the rocket to a height of {{convert|17|mi|km}} before burning out. The rocket would then coast on momentum to about {{convert|100|mi}} before nosing down for reentry. The second stage engine would then fire before jettisoning and igniting the third and final stage. On April 24, 1957, an X-17 reached a speed of {{convert|9000|mph}} at [[Patrick AFB]].<ref>E. Emme, ed., ''Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1915–1960'', p. 85.</ref>  Ultimately the X-17 would be traveling towards Earth at up to Mach 14.5.

The X-17 was also used as the booster for the [[Operation Argus]] series of three high-altitude [[nuclear tests]] conducted in the [[South Atlantic]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Argus.html|title=Operation Argus tests|author=Carey Sublette|publisher=Nuclear Weapon Archive|date=20 September 1997|access-date=2008-01-11}}</ref>

The rocket engine used by the rocket is called '''1.5KS35000''', a [[solid propellant]] rocket engine designed by [[Thiokol]]. It was used in at least 23 launches.<ref>{{Cite web| last = McDowell| first = Jonathan| title = Stages| date = February 2007| url = http://www.planet4589.org/space/lvdb/sdb/Stages| access-date = 2010-03-02| archive-date = 2003-10-23| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031023221003/http://www.planet4589.org/space/lvdb/sdb/Stages| url-status = dead}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2020}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161228031022/http://astronautix.com/1/15ks35000.html 1.5KS35000]{{unreliable source?|date=August 2020}}</ref>

==Polaris FTV program==

The X-17 was used as a test vehicle to test technology for the development of the [[UGM-27 Polaris]] missile in 1957–1958. During this testing, the rocket was called the Polaris Flight Test Vehicle, or Polaris FTV. The Polaris FTV-3 was a standard configuration X-17. The Polaris FTV-5 was a two-stage configuration using the same first stage, a [[MGM-29 Sergeant|Sergeant]] rocket, with a different second stage.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lethbridge |first1=Cliff |title=POLARIS FTV FACT SHEET |url=https://www.spaceline.org/cape-canaveral-rocket-missile-program/polaris-ftv-fact-sheet/ |website=spaceline.org |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lockheed X-17}}
* {{YouTube| GugmGm98qkY|"The X-17 Story (1958)"}}
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app1/x-17.html X-17 History]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209221417/http://users.dbscorp.net/jmustain/x-17.htm X-17 Specs]

{{Lockheed aircraft}}
{{X-planes}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Experimental rockets of the United States|X-17]]
[[Category:Lockheed Corporation]]