In the 1970's, the Army had a surplus of Orion motors, and NASA adapted these unused motors for scientific exploration. Nike-Orion sounding rockets were solid-fueled, two-stage sounding rockets built from a Nike motor and an Orion motor. These former military motors could carry scientific payloads weighing 150 pounds to altitudes of 118 miles. Although Nike-Orion motors are no longer in use, Wallops still uses newer improved Orion motors.