Falstaff (rocket)
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox rocket Falstaff was a British sounding rocket used during the 1970s as part of the Chevaline programme to improve the penetrability of the Polaris nuclear missile. It was the largest UK rocket with a solid booster ever launched.
PolarisEdit
The Falstaff was part of the Chevaline programme to improve the Polaris programme.<ref name="abc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="guard">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Penetration Aids Carrier (PAC) was capable of maneuvering a Falstaff rocket and dispensing missiles.<ref name=guard/> According to John Pitfield, the PAC was launched in 1969, 1975, 1976 and 1978.<ref name=guard/>
Since the Australian government at the time was not in favour of nuclear weapons, the testing of the Falstaff vehicles on Australian soil had the potential to cause embarrassment. The details of over 4000 launches from the Woomera Range are still not fully released.<ref name=guard/>
Before the revelation that the Falstaff rockets were part of a nuclear program, anti-nuclear campaigners in Australia had believed that testing ended in 1963.<ref name=abc/><ref name=guard/>
DesignEdit
The Falstaff with the Stonechat Mk 2 booster was Template:Convert long and had a diameter of Template:Convert. It weighed Template:Convert of which Template:Convert was solid propellant.<ref name=sat/> It delivered an average thrust of Template:Convert during 37 seconds.<ref name=sat/>
A launch on 1 October 1969 used the Stonechat Mk 1 booster.<ref name=sat/>
LaunchesEdit
The Falstaff was launched eight times between 1969 and 1979 at Woomera, Australia, seven of which were the Mk 2 variant.<ref name="sat">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There was one failure, on 23 April 1978.<ref name=sat/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All the launches were from the Woomera Test Range in Australia,<ref name=sat/> Template:Convert north-west of Adelaide.
| Date | Site | Vehicle | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 1969 | Woomera | Mk.I | Successful launch |
| 9 May 1975 | Woomera | Mk.II F0 | Successful launch |
| 19 February 1976 | Woomera | Mk.II F0 1 | Successful launch |
| 23 May 1978 | Woomera | Mk.II F1 | Vehicle failed |
| 15 September 1978 | Woomera | Mk.II F2 | Successful launch |
| 5 December 1978 | Woomera | Mk.II F3 | Successful launch |
| 14 February 1979 | Woomera | Mk.II F4 | Successful launch |
| 4 April 1979 | Woomera | Mk.II F5 | Successful launch |
CommemorationEdit
The Falstaff rocket was commemorated in an event cover that depicted a rocket recognisable as a Falstaff. 5 December 1978 was commemorated in such a way.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>