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San Marco Scout |
In
1987 the SNIA-BPD and LTV began a common study of a launcher named
Eagle Scout, capable of orbiting
a payload of about 520 kg, double that of the American launcher Scout. This project
was to upgrade the classic Scout G-1 by adding two boosters derived from that of
Ariane 3 with a modified propellant composition to obtain a variable thrust. These
new boosters constituting the 1st stage were fired before the central body keeping
the Algol motor that then became the 2nd stage. The 4th stage of the Scout G-1 was
replaced by the European AKM Mage-2. The fairing would be enlarged to 1.35 m diameter.
The Eagle Scout, renamed Scout-2
in 1988, was to be used initially, from the San Marco range.
A unique flight test was undertaken on 19 March 1992 from Salto di Quirra, with
the central motor of the test launcher SXB3
- an Ariane-4 PAP with swivelling nozzle - and two dummy boosters.
It was a test for the latest SLV project, called "San Marco Scout". The PAP_ P9.5 from Ariane-4 are used for the central stage and four boosters.
The project was canceled. The prototype of San Marco SLV is currently stored in Kenya.