NOTS-EV-1 "Pilot" ("NOTSNIK") Launcher

United States Naval Ordnance Test Station NOTS-EV-1 "Pilot" (nicknamed "NOTSNIK") rocket, from the US Navy's "Project Pilot" of 1958. A five stage, solid-fueled, air-launched vehicle, dropped from an F4D "Skyray" jet at 41,000 feet, the "NOTSNIK" was intended to launch a 1.05 kilogram satellite into low Earth orbit.

However, the vehicle and the test program proved troublesome, with most vehicles exploding, failing to ignite, or suffering miscellanious structural failures. There was an unconfirmed possibility, however, that two of the air launches actually reached orbit after losing radio contact; but this was not enough to save the program, which was cancelled before the end of 1958.

Now available as a unique addition for your scale modelling projects! Great for historical or alternate history builds, or for your own fantasy Cubesat launcher.