Skua (rocket)

Skua is the designation of a British sounding rocket which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in four versions over 300 times.

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The Skua was developed by Bristol Aerojet and RPE Wescott.

[1] It consisted of a starting stage made up of several Chick rockets (like the Petrel) that burned for 0.2 seconds.

The solid rocket motor of the main stage had an end-burning propellant grain and burned for 30 seconds.

[10] 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.