Skua (rocket)
Skua is the designation of a British sounding rocket which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in four versions over 300 times.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Skua was developed by Bristol Aerojet and RPE Wescott.<ref name=":0" />
It consisted of a starting stage made up of several Chick rockets (like the Petrel) that burned for 0.2 seconds.<ref name=":0" /> They propelled the rocket 20 metres over the 5-metre-long launch tube.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After that, the Bantam main stage ignited. The solid rocket motor of the main stage had an end-burning propellant grain and burned for 30 seconds.<ref name="fuseurop">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The starting stage descended on parachutes and was re-filled and re-used.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The fastest jet stream velocity ever measured (656 km/h or 408 mph) was recorded by instruments on board a Skua rocket above South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland at an altitude of 47,000 m (154,200 ft), on 13 December 1967.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
VersionsEdit
There were four versions of the Skua rocket:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
| Version | First Stage | Second Stage | Payload (kg) | Apogee (km) | Thrust at start (kN) | Weight (kg) | Diameter (m) | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skua 1 | 3 x Chick | Bantam | 5 | 70 | 20 | 58 | 0.13 | 2.21 |
| Skua 2 | 4 x Chick | extended Bantam | 5 | 100 | 27 | 68 | 0.13 | 2.42 |
| Skua 3 | 4 x Chick | extended Bantam | 5 | 120 | 27 | 75 | 0.13 | 2.80 |
| Skua 4 | 4 x Chick | improved Bantam | 7.5 | 140 | 27 | 83 | 0.13 | 2.80 |