Skua is the designation of a British sounding rocket which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in four 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 (like the Petrel) that burned for 0.2 seconds. They propelled the rocket 20 metres over the 5-metre-long launch tube. 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. The starting stage descended on parachutes and was re-filled and re-used.
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.
Versions There were four versions of the Skua rocket: +Skua rocket versionsVersionFirst StageSecond StagePayload (kg)Apogee (km)Thrust at start (kN)Weight (kg)Diameter (m)Length (m)Skua 13 x ChickBantam57020580.132.21Skua 24 x Chickextended Bantam510027680.132.42Skua 34 x Chickextended Bantam512027750.132.80Skua 44 x Chickimproved Bantam7.514027830.132.80
See also Sounding rocket Petrel (rocket) Arcas (rocket) References