Sprint: Zero to Mach 10 in five seconds

[prfesser]

Sprint (the interesting stuff starts around 23:00) was our attempt at an antiballistic missile system (shorter summary here). Not enough time to open a hatch; Sprint destroyed its silo cover upon launch. First stage 1.5 second burn; Sprint heated to incandescence during 2nd stage burn.

 

[Rschub]

Still on the drawing board

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/sprint-abm-build-thread.174473/

 

[MClark]

People think the ABM systems were to protect the cities.
They protected the ICBM sites to make sure they could get away. The most important thing was MAD.
The Pyramid of the Prairie, conveniently located to protect Malmstrom AFB.

 

[prfesser]

People think the ABM systems were to protect the cities.
They protected the ICBM sites to make sure they could get away. The most important thing was MAD.
The Pyramid of the Prairie, conveniently located to protect Malmstrom AFB.

Reality: ABMs would not have protected much of anything, regardless. When nuclear overkill capacity on each side greatly exceeds common sense, any ABM would allow at least a few warheads to reach their targets. With ten or more Big Booms per ICBM, and Odin-only-knows how many ICBMs....... An awful lot of dead civilians as well as dead not-civilians. It was at least one reason for its ultimately being abandoned.