IRBMs are frequently turned into small satellite launchers via the addition of (usually multiple) upper stages. In the United States, this happened to both the Thor and Jupiter. A derivative of the Jupiter, the Jupiter-C launched the U.S.'s first satellite, Explorer 1.
The Navy withdrew from the project in November 1956 in favor of the solid fuel Polaris missile.
Jupiter IRBM missiles were used in a series of suborbital biological test fights.
Aboard Jupiter IRBM AM-18, were a 7 pound (3.18 kg) American born rhesus monkey, "Able" and an 11 ounce (310 g) South American squirrel monkey, "Baker".
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