XP67_Moonbat
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In 1989, Iraq flew a supposed space launcher, the Al-Abid rocket. Sometimes called Tammouz. First stage was five clustered Scuds. Second stage was SA 2-based (or another Scud, depending on who you believe), and the third was a small solid stage.
From Mark Wade's site: http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/tamouz.htm
From a CIA history, https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004/chap3.html#sect8:
Al ‘Abid (1989)
By 1989, Iraq had designed, manufactured and tested the first stage of a three-stage space launch vehicle. The first stage was a cluster of five Scud-variant missiles. Although the vehicle failed after 45 seconds, it proved a successful technology demonstrator for generic clustered designs.
The test achieved multiengine ignition, thrust build-up, release, and controlled ascent during part of the first stage trajectory. At about Mach 1, the aerodynamic stresses overcame the control authority and the missile inter-stage collapsed, according to an interview with a senior missile official and an UNSCOM report. According to senior Iraqi officials, Iraq continued studying clustered Scud engines for a year after the Al ‘Abid failure, ceasing in 1991.
Then here's this:
http://utenti.lycos.it/paoloulivi/alabid.html
And this:
http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Al_Abid/Description/Frame.htm
Not much else...however.... I do remember seeing an AD ASTRA article on Iraq's launch capability back in 1991. It had a drawing showing the progression from your garden-variety SCUD to the Al-Abid/ Tammouz. Haven't seen it since. Anyone else remember this article? I'm so looking for this drawing.
From Mark Wade's site: http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/tamouz.htm
From a CIA history, https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004/chap3.html#sect8:
Al ‘Abid (1989)
By 1989, Iraq had designed, manufactured and tested the first stage of a three-stage space launch vehicle. The first stage was a cluster of five Scud-variant missiles. Although the vehicle failed after 45 seconds, it proved a successful technology demonstrator for generic clustered designs.
The test achieved multiengine ignition, thrust build-up, release, and controlled ascent during part of the first stage trajectory. At about Mach 1, the aerodynamic stresses overcame the control authority and the missile inter-stage collapsed, according to an interview with a senior missile official and an UNSCOM report. According to senior Iraqi officials, Iraq continued studying clustered Scud engines for a year after the Al ‘Abid failure, ceasing in 1991.
Then here's this:
http://utenti.lycos.it/paoloulivi/alabid.html
And this:
http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Al_Abid/Description/Frame.htm
Not much else...however.... I do remember seeing an AD ASTRA article on Iraq's launch capability back in 1991. It had a drawing showing the progression from your garden-variety SCUD to the Al-Abid/ Tammouz. Haven't seen it since. Anyone else remember this article? I'm so looking for this drawing.
It seems that only out of Iran, Iraq and North Korea do you get crazy ideas like this that you KNOW will fail.
