The 908-kilogram (2000-pound) Farside was lifted to an altitude of 30.5 kilometers (19 miles) by a polyethylene balloon. An aluminum structure suspended from the balloon carried the 7.3-meter (24-foot) rocket to launch altitude. Positioned vertically in its casing, Farside was fired directly through the balloon.
Six Farsides were launched by the United States in 1957 from Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific.
Farside’s first stage consisted of four solid-fuel Recruit rockets, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Company. A single Recruit served as the second stage. Four Arrow II solid-fuel rockets by the Grand Central Rocket Company constituted the third stage. The final stage, a single Arrow II, carried the instrument payload provided by S. F. Singer of the University of Maryland.
Farside was developed by Aeronutronics Systems, Inc., for the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research and Development.
The rocket on exhibit is from the Aeronutronics Division, Ford Motor Company.
| Length | 7.3 m. (24 ft.) |
| Propellants | Solid |
| Thrust | |
| First stage | 68,220 kg. (150,400 lb.) |
| Second stage | 17,055 kg. (37,600 lb.) |
| Third state | 4120 kg. (9080 lb.) |
| Fourth stage | 1030 kg. (2270 lb.) |
| Velocity | 29,000 km./hr. (18,000 mi./hr.) |
| Altitude | 3220-6440 km. (2000-4000 mi.) |
Nike-Cajun
25. Nike-Cajun ready for launch.