The SR1 is a single-stage sounding rocket using the WAC Corporal liquid-fuel rocket motor. The SR1(W) variant is similar but omits the recovery parachute.

Table of Contents Design Launches Mission 2A Flight 1 Flight 2 Flight 3 Cancelled launches

The SR1's single WAC Corporal engine burns the hypergolic Aniline/Furfuryl/Nitric Acid combination, and runs for 50 seconds. It is a pressure-fed engine, which maximises simplicity at the expense of performance.

The rocket is unguided, relying on gyroscopic stabilisation from spin induced by its canted fins.

The lift-off mass of the SR1 is 301kg (664lb). The SR1(W) is slightly lighter, at 294kg (648lb).

All SR1 launches were from Cape Canaveral, FL. A total of 3 vehicles were launched, all were successes.

The first launch of the family was an SR1 aiming to breach an altitude of 50km. It cleared this by a handsome margin, peaking at over 59km (36⅔mi; 194,000ft). It transmitted much interesting data on the temperature and pressure of the upper atmosphere. The rocket was then recovered by parachute.

Mission patch

Flight of SR1(W), angled to give similar data from a little further off the coast of Florida. During the ascent, the fins failed shortly after max-Q, but the vehicle remained stable due to its spin, and again exceeded 50km altitude and returned valuable scientific data. As planned, the vehicle splashed down hard in the Atlantic and was destroyed.

An evening launch of SR1, reaching an apogee of 59,397m (36.9mi; 194,872ft) and obtaining further thermometric data from the upper atmosphere. The flight lasted 7 minutes and 59 seconds, and the vehicle was recovered intact by parachute.

There were plans for a second SR1(W) launch as part of Mission 2A, but this was cancelled after Flight 2 fulfilled all of its objectives.