Skua (rocket)
Encyclopedia
Skua is the designation of a British
sounding rocket
which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in 4 versions over 300 times. The Skua was developed by Bristol
Aerojet
and RPE Wescott. It consisted of a starting stage made up of several Chick rockets that burned for 0.2 seconds. They propelled the rocket 20 meters over the 5 meter long launch tube. After that, the Bantam
main stage ignited.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
sounding rocket
Sounding rocket
A sounding rocket, sometimes called a research rocket, is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The origin of the term comes from nautical vocabulary, where to sound is to throw a weighted line from a ship into...
which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in 4 versions over 300 times. The Skua was developed by Bristol
Bristol Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines...
Aerojet
Aerojet
Aerojet is an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer based primarily in Rancho Cordova, California with divisions in Redmond, Washington, Orange, Gainesville and Camden, Arkansas. Aerojet is owned by GenCorp. They are the only US propulsion company that provides both solid rocket...
and RPE Wescott. It consisted of a starting stage made up of several Chick rockets that burned for 0.2 seconds. They propelled the rocket 20 meters over the 5 meter long launch tube. After that, the Bantam
Bantam
Bantam may refer to:* Bantam , a small variety of poultry* Bantamweight, a weight class in boxing-Places:* Bantam , a city and former sultanate on Java island, in Indonesia...
main stage ignited.
Skua 1
- starting stage: 3 Chick rockets (could be one)
- payload: 5 kg
- ceiling: 70 km
- takeoff thrust: 20 kN
- takeoff weight: 58 kg
- diameter: 0.13 m
- length: 2.24 m
Skua 2
- starting stage: 4 Chick rockets
- upper stage: extended Bantam
- payload: 5 kg
- ceiling: 100 km
- takeoff thrust: 27 kN
- takeoff weight: 68 kg
- diameter: 0.13 m
- length: 2.42 m
Skua 3
- starting stage: 4 Chick rockets
- payload: 5 kg
- maximum height: 120 km
- takeoff thrust: 27 kN
- takeoff weight: 75 kg
- diameter: 0.13 m
- length: 2.80 m
Skua 4
- starting stage: 4 Chick rockets
- upper stage: improved Bantam
- payload: 8 kg
- maximum height: 140 km
- takeoff thrust: 27 kN
- takeoff weight: 83 kg
- diameter: 0.13 m
- length: 2.80 m