The Private was the first U.S. step rocket, combining a Tiny Tim rocket and a 30AS-1000C JATO unit. Tsien Hsue-shen was the JPL section leader who directed research for the Private A.

The Private preceded the MGM-5 Corporal surface-to-surface missile.

Timeline for the Private (missile)

• January 1943: Major General Barnes requested the Cal Tech group proceed on the ORDCIT Project, which named their first rocket Private A.
• December 1-16, 1944: Private A test launches (24) were conducted at Leach Spring on Camp Irwin.
• April 1-13, 1945: Private F (a Private A with wings) test launches (17) were conducted by JPL employeesat Hueco Range on Ft Bliss (all Private Ftest round went into a tailspin.)

References and Notes