[3] The program involved creating transistorized sensors to detect nuclear explosions from the Operation Argus tests.

[7] Two variants of the Pilot rocket were built; the Pilot-1,[7] with battleship second to fifth stages,[8] was used for ground-launched atmospheric tests from China Lake, and the Pilot-2,[7] an air-launched version, was used for orbital launch attempts.

Orbital launches were conducted from a stripped–down jet carrier aircraft, an F4D–1 Skyray, flying from Point Mugu Naval Air Station,[9] and releasing the rocket over the Santa Barbara Channel Drop Zone.

[5] The first air–launch was performed on 25 July 1958 by NOTS research pilot William West, a career US Navy officer.

Radio contact with the ground was lost during the second–stage burn, but the rocket appeared on film, departing over the horizon.