The Trailblazer rockets were designed to conduct experiments in re-entry physics. The rocket's first three stages would take the upper stage package to a 280 km apogee. The upper stage package was mounted upside-down in relation to the other stages. When it had reached the peak, the three upper stages fired in sequence, ramming the payload, a 13 cm sphere, into the atmosphere at orbital re-entry speeds.
(NASA photo courtesy of Andrey Lysenko)
Dimensions
Length: 17.10 m (56.10 ft)
Diameter: 0,58 m (1.90 ft)
Fin Span: 2.61 m (8.56 ft)
Weight: 3,400 kg (7,400 lb)
Ceiling: 280 km (170 mi) with 1 kg (2.20 lb) Payload
Liftoff Thrust: 365,000 kN (82,055 lbf)
First Stage: Honest John
Second Stage: Nike
Third Stage: Lance
Upper Stage package: one T-40, one T-55, and five Cygnus
First Firing: March 1959
Number of Flights: (Mar 3, 1959 to Feb 16, 1963) 14
Launch site: Wallops Island