Jaguar RTV
Jaguar RTV
Credit - via Jean-Jacques Serra
Test vehicle. Year: 1960. Family: Other Suborbital Vehicles. Country: UK.

The Jaguar was designed by the RAE Supersonics Department as part of the HRV (Hypersonic Research Vehicle) program. This was a joint project with the Australian Weapons Research Establishment for testing of re-entry vehicles at high speeds. Regardless of the variant, the Rook first stage would propel the upper stages and subscale RV to a high altitude. The upper stages would then fire downward to push the RV into the atmosphere at speeds of up to 5 km/s. After the conclusion of the HRV project in April 1970, tests continued using the Jabiru 3 with other aerothermal experiments until November 1974.

The Rook motor was 0.43 m in diameter and 5.28 m long. It contained a case-bonded charge of 846 kg of non-aluminized plastic propellant giving a total impulse of 1760 kN-seconds in 5.6 seconds; with a maximum thrust of 323 kN and a specific impulse of 213 seconds. The motor was capable of withstanding the 40g acceleration it provided during firing. It was employed as the first propulsion stage of the Leopard and Jaguar (Jabiru) supersonic test vehicles, and by itself in single-stage test applications.

Manufacturer: RAE/WRE. Launches: 28. First Launch Date: 1960-08-17. Last Launch Date: 1974-11-20. Launch data is: complete.

Model: Jabiru 3. Year: 1971. Family: Other Suborbital Vehicles. Country: UK/Australia.

2 stage version consisting of 1 x Rook IIIA + 1 x Rook IIIB

The Rook motor was 0.43 m in diameter and 5.28 m long. It contained a case-bonded charge of 846 kg of non-aluminized plastic propellant giving a total impulse of 1760 kN-seconds in 5.6 seconds; with a maximum thrust of 323 kN and a specific impulse of 213 seconds. The motor was capable of withstanding the 40g acceleration it provided during firing. It was employed as the first propulsion stage of the Leopard and Jaguar (Jabiru) supersonic test vehicles, and by itself in single-stage test applications.

Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Total Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Core Diameter: 0.44 m (1.44 ft). Total Length: 12.70 m (41.60 ft).

Model: Jaguar 1. Year: 1960. Family: Other Suborbital Vehicles. Country: UK/Australia.

3 stage version consisting of 1 x Rook II + 1 x Gosling IIN + 1 x Lobster I

The Rook motor was 0.43 m in diameter and 5.28 m long. It contained a case-bonded charge of 846 kg of non-aluminized plastic propellant giving a total impulse of 1760 kN-seconds in 5.6 seconds; with a maximum thrust of 323 kN and a specific impulse of 213 seconds. The motor was capable of withstanding the 40g acceleration it provided during firing. It was employed as the first propulsion stage of the Leopard and Jaguar (Jabiru) supersonic test vehicles, and by itself in single-stage test applications.

Four Gosling motors with canted nozzles were used as boosters for the British Thunderbird ramjet surface-to-air missile. 664 Gosling IV motors were supplied for the Thunderbird, Bloodhound, and Seaslug Mark II missiles.

For sounding rocket applications, motors were supplied with in-line nozzles. The Gosling IV had an a all up mass of 256 kg, was 3.00 m long, and 0.254 m in diameter. It produced an average thrust of 124 kN over its 3.15 second burn time.

Manufacturer: RAE/WRE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Total Mass: 1,680 kg (3,700 lb). Core Diameter: 0.44 m (1.44 ft). Total Length: 11.90 m (39.00 ft).

Model: Jaguar 2. Year: 1964. Family: Other Suborbital Vehicles. Country: UK/Australia.

3 stage version consisting of 1 x Rook IIIA + 1 x Goldfinch II + 1 x Gosling IV

The Rook motor was 0.43 m in diameter and 5.28 m long. It contained a case-bonded charge of 846 kg of non-aluminized plastic propellant giving a total impulse of 1760 kN-seconds in 5.6 seconds; with a maximum thrust of 323 kN and a specific impulse of 213 seconds. The motor was capable of withstanding the 40g acceleration it provided during firing. It was employed as the first propulsion stage of the Leopard and Jaguar (Jabiru) supersonic test vehicles, and by itself in single-stage test applications.

Four Gosling motors with canted nozzles were used as boosters for the British Thunderbird ramjet surface-to-air missile. 664 Gosling IV motors were supplied for the Thunderbird, Bloodhound, and Seaslug Mark II missiles.

For sounding rocket applications, motors were supplied with in-line nozzles. The Gosling IV had an a all up mass of 256 kg, was 3.00 m long, and 0.254 m in diameter. It produced an average thrust of 124 kN over its 3.15 second burn time.

Manufacturer: RAE/WRE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Total Mass: 2,040 kg (4,490 lb). Core Diameter: 0.44 m (1.44 ft). Total Length: 12.50 m (41.00 ft).

Jaguar RTV Chronology

1960 August 17 - Launch Site: Aberporth. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 G1.

  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). References: 572.
1960 December 15 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J1.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 572.
1961 April 21 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J2.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1961 July 26 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J3.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1961 Nov - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J4.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1962 April 4 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J5.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1962 June 26 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J6.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1962 Aug - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J7.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1963 March 27 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J8.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1964 February 12 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 1. LV Configuration: Jaguar 1 J9.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). References: 1162.
1964 October 2 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jaguar 2 J201.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1965 August 25 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jaguar 2 J202.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1966 August 10 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1966 Nov - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jaguar 2 J204.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1967 December 7 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J205.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1968 July 18 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J206.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1969 Apr - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J207.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1969 May - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J202-2.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1969 July 16 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J208.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1969 October 16 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J209.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1592.
1970 April 1 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jaguar 2. LV Configuration: Jabiru 2 J210.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1971 October 20 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-1.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1971 December 4 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-2.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1973 November 14 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-3.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1973 December 6 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-4.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1974 September 6 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-5.
  • Jabiru II Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1853.
1974 October 31 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-6.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
1974 November 20 - Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 HRV. Launch Vehicle: Jaguar RTV. Model: Jabiru 3. LV Configuration: Jabiru 3 J-7.
  • Test mission Nation: UK. Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). References: 1162.
Bibliography and Further Reading
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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