NOTS-EV-1 Pilot

NOTS-EV-1 Pilot (unofficial name NOTSNIK ) is an American launch vehicle and anti-satellite weapon . The world's first air- based launch vehicle.

NOTS-EV-1 Pilot
rocket pilot in flight
General information
A country	USA
Main characteristics
Number of steps	five
Length (with GP)	4.4 m
Diameter	0.76 m
Cast weight	1.05 kg
Launch history
condition	withdrawn from service
Launch locations	Naval Air Station Naval Air Station Point Mugu
Number of starts	4 Pilot-1, 6 Pilot-2
• successful	0
• unsuccessful	ten
• partially unsuccessful	0
First start	Pilot 1: July 4, 1958. Pilot 2: July 25, 1958.
Accelerator (Pilot-2) - Douglas F4D Skyray
Number of Accelerators	one
Thrust	71.14 kilonewton.
First stage
Marching engines	2 × HOTROC
Thrust	63.2 kilonewton
Working hours	4.9 seconds
Fuel	solid fuel
Second stage
Marching engines	2 × HOTROC
Thrust	63.2 kilonewton
Working hours	4.9 seconds
Fuel	solid fuel
Third stage
Sustainer engine	X-241
Thrust	12.1 kilonewton
Working hours	36 seconds
Fuel	solid fuel
Fourth step
Sustainer engine	NOTS-8
Thrust	5.1 kilonewton
Working hours	5.7 seconds
Fuel	solid fuel
Fifth step
Sustainer engine	NOTS-3SM
Thrust	700 Newton
Working hours	1 s
Fuel	solid fuel

In July-August 1958, ten launch attempts were made: 4 test from the ground and 6 from Douglas F4D Skyrei fighters ; not one of the attempts was successful. The project was closed in August 1958, after being replaced by NOTS-EV-2 Caleb .

Vulture of secrecy filmed in 1994.