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Where is it from?
- A Manufacturer Maribyrnong, Australia
- B Place & Date Tested Deer Park, Australia
- C Place & Date Tested Woomera, Australia
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Research Rocket - Australia, Kookaburra Mk.1, Two-Stage, 1975
Reg. No: ST 042513
- Summary:
- Alternative Name(s): Sounding Rocket
Kookaburra Mark 1, Australian-designed, upper atmosphere research rocket powered by a two-stage (Lupus 1A & Musca) cast composite propellant motor. First launched in 1968, it was used to deploy a parachute-equipped drop sonde which measured upper atmospheric air temperatures and pressures as well as ozone and molecular oxygen concentrations. It could reach a maximum altitude (apogee) of about 75 kilometres, with a typical launch elevation of 82.5° and remained in use until 1975, with an average of 11 firings a year. In March 1970, Australia took part in a joint launch program with the United Kingdom and India to provide a comparative assessment of atmospheric temperature and ozone levels in the Indian Ocean region using group firings of Kookaburra rockets. The rocket motors were manufactured by the Maribyrnong Explosives Factory in Melbourne and the rocket was developed and tested by the Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) at Woomera in South Australia. Mark 2 and Mark 3 versions were developed before 1975 when the Australian research rocket program was terminated.
This example of a Kookaburra Mk. 1 is believed to have been manufactured in 1975 and remained unused at the end of the research program. It was donated to the Museum by the Department of Defence, Maribrynong Explosives Factory in 1994. - Description:
- Overall rocket consists of two slender pencil or needle-like stages with straight-sided cylindrical bodies 126 mm diameter in the lower or first stage and 89 mm diameter in the upper or second stage. Each stage has four rectangular plan form stabilising fins attached to the nozzle at the base in a cruciform arrangement. All fins are of a plain rectangular shape with uniform thickness throughout. The body of each stage is painted cream/white, with black stenciled lettering, black fins and nozzle and a 7.5° tapered polished metal alloy nose. The lower stage is also fitted with a tapered polished metal tip which fits inside the conical nozzle of the upper stage.
- Acquisition Information:
- Donation from Australia: Defence Department, Maribyrnong Explosives Factory
| Discipline: | Technology |
| Dimensions: | 425 mm (Width), 3535 mm (Length), 130 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 27.5 kg (Weight) |
| Dimension Comment: | Overall dimensions when the two stages are assembled into a full rocket. Individual lengths of each part overlap by 125 mm when assembled. Previously Overall Length was given as 3350 mm which seems to be incorrect. Weight given is combined weight of both sections as measured by Moreland staff, 15/1/2009. |
More information
| Tagged with: | atmospheric rockets, ozone, sounding rockets |
| Themes this item is part of: | Arms Collection, Engineering Collection, Science & Measurement Collection, Transport Collection, Maribyrnong Small Arms & Ammunition Factory, Bristol-Ferranti Bloodhound Missile |
| Primary Classification: | AIR TRANSPORT |
| Secondary Classification: | Atmospheric Rockets |
| Tertiary Classification: | research rockets |
| Model Name/Number: | Kookaburra Mk.1; Lupus 1A; Musca |
| Manufacturer: | Australia: Defence Department, Maribyrnong Explosives Factory, Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia, 1975 Manufactrured at the Maribyrnong Explosives Factory, Victoria. Rocket motors static tested at their Ravenhall facility in Deer Park, range tested at the Weapons Research Establishment's Woomera Firing Range, South Australia. |
| Designer: | Weapons Research Establishment (WRE), Upper Atmosphere Research Group Upper Atmosphere Research Group, South Australia, Australia, 1968 |
| Place & Date Tested: | Australia: Defence Department, Ravenhall Explosives Testing Range, Deer Park, Victoria, Australia, circa 1969 |
| Place & Date Tested: | Australia: Defence Department, Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) Woomera Rocket Range, Woomera, South Australia, Australia, circa 1969 |
| References: | Morton, Peter, 'Fire Across the Desert', pp.402-405. |
| Bibliography: |
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