THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE BLACK KNIGHT ROCKET IN VARIOUS ROLES

Abstract : Performance studies made over a number of years for Black Knight are collected together in one document. Most of these calculation are concerned with the vehicle used as a re-entry test vehicle or as a sounding rocket. The note summarises the results and serves to illustrate the improvements in performance which have been made; results are presented in a way which enables the effects on performance of changes in the basic vehicle characteristics to be readily predicted. Also included are the results of specific studies made to determine the feasibility of using Black Knight as a ballistic missile, as the first stage of a satellite launcher or as a launcher for a hypersonic glider.