Skua (rocket)
Skua rocket on the left, Petrel rocket on the right
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 metres over the 5 metre long launch tube. After that, the Bantam 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