Republic Aviation developed the Terrapin to meet the University of Maryland’s need for an inexpensive and simple sounding rocket for introducing graduate students to upper atmosphere research. The first stage was a Slow Deacon, developed by the Allegheny Ballistics Lab, and the second stage was a modified Thiokol T-55. These solid fueled stages could reach an altitude of over 75 miles.
Although its simplicity of operation made it a promising research tool, the Terrapin did not see extensive use.