RV-A-10 FACT SHEET

By Cliff Lethbridge

RV-A-10 On Launcher, Photo Courtesy U.S. Army

Classification: Research Rocket

Length: 20 feet, 3 inches

Finspan: 7 feet, 11 inches

Diameter: 31 inches

Date of First Cape Canaveral Launch: February 11, 1953

Date of Final Cape Canaveral Launch: March 25, 1953

Number of Cape Canaveral Launches: 4

RV-A-10 was a research rocket built for the U.S. Army Project Hermes. The rocket was designed to test the feasibility of large, solid-fueled rocket engines. It was powered by a Thiokol solid-fuel engine capable of producing a liftoff thrust of 32,000 pounds. The RV-A-10 could reach a maximum altitude of 36 miles with a maximum range of 68 miles. Test launches confirmed that large, solid-fueled rocket engines were feasible and could be employed in future rockets and missiles.