7.9.58
Black Knight Test Flight - A Test Flight of a ballistic rocket -The Black Knight - designed for research purposes took place on the Australian range at Woomera0 The test was successful and the missile performed according to expectations A series of test flights of the vehicle is being conducted by the Ministry of Supply in co-operation with the Australian Department of Supply. The rocket was designed by a team headed by the Royal Aircraft Establishment of the Ministry of Supply to provide the research data. The rocket itself is 35 feet long by 3 feet diameter, and a large amount of its weight is accounted for by propellants« After rising vertically under its own power from the launcher the vehicle is controlled to climb still vertically for several thousand feet, after which it is directed while still under power, into a climb path towards the target area. Prom the point of engine cut-out the missile coats upwards in "free fall'* to an apogee of several hundred miles and then descends until it reaches the fringes of the atmosphere above the downrange target area0 Measurements of the behaviour of the rocket engine, the control and guidance and the conditions when the motor is accelerating the rocket, together with its environment and other phenomena under investigation, are continuously made throughout flight and relayed to a number of ground receivers along the range by several telemetry transmitters installed inside the missile. Its behaviour during its re-entry into the earth 3 atmosphere is also recorded Additional information is obtained by tape recorders and by recovery of the vehicle after impact New techniques have been developed for the trials of Black Knight including elaborate safety devices for tracking the missile and for destroying it should it wander from its desired course.
Photo measures 8 x 10 inches.
Photo is dated --none.
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