Hermes-B1
The Hermes-B1 launch vehicle was a modified German A-4 (V-2) missile for experiments in the Hermes-2 ram-jet program.
The Hermes-B1 featured enlarged fins to ensure aerodynamical stability while launching the winged Ram vehicle.
The first five Hermes-B1 missiles, numbered 0 through 4, were intended to feature aerodynamic replicas of the ramjets and other aerodynamic surfaces and did not have separating second stages, while missiles 5-9 were to have "live," free-flying Ram stages with guidance. Only four vehicles were launched - one of these diverted off course and impacted in Mexico. No vehicles with free flying or even powered Ram stages were ever launched, and the project terminated in 1954.
Version | Stage 1 |
---|---|
Hermes-B1 (RTV-G-3) | mod. A-4 (V-2) |
Nr Vehicle Serial Date LS Subor Suc Payload Remark
1 Hermes-B1 B-1 #0 29.05.1947 WS LC-33 * P Ram #0 impact in Mexico
2 Hermes-B1 B-1 #1 03.01.1949 WS LC-33 * Ram #1
3 Hermes-B1 B-1 #2 06.10.1949 WS LC-33 * Ram #2
4 Hermes-B1 B-1 #2A 09.11.1950 WS LC-33 * Ram #2A
* = suborbital
Launch sites:
WS = White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA