Black Knight - BK18

BK18 was the second proving vehicle for the Gamma 301 engine and the transistor control system. The head was a 12.5o semi-angle doorstops cone, 2 inch nose radius (as on head H2/04) and with a seem-elliptical base (as on head H2/03) and was fitted with accelerometers and rate gyroscopes for investigation of re-entry dynamics.

No provision was made to measure re-entry heating. No attempt was made, either, to meet the requirements for radiation measurements by ground instruments, by separating the re-entry of the head from that of the second stage as was done in. Ignition of the second stage was planned (as in and) to be initiated by the Phillips ionisation gauge at about 350,000 feet altitude on the descent.

Instead of a "C" band transponder, a pyrotechnic flare was fitted to the second stage to be ignited with the second stage, to aid acquisition by ground instruments.

Propulsion was once again excellent; a re-entry velocity of 15,750 ft/sec was attained at 200,000 feet. The transistor control system was proved for the second time. The guidance telescope tracking problem was again evident, and the guidance radar information was used throughout flight for guidance and proved most satisfactory. All the vehicle systems were successful.

The second stage flare was ignited in vacuo and proved to be a useful acquisition aid for sighting ground instruments. Ground instrumentation was successfully operated and re-entry instruments data was obtained. The head tape recorder was recovered and all the data was successfully recorded, from which the dynamic behaviour of the head during re-entry was determined.

Number Stages Date local
time Empty
wt [lbs] HTP
[lbs] Kerosene
[lbs} All up
wt [lbs] Burn-out
time [s] Apogee
miles

18 2 30 11 62 02.03 2 174 10 465 1 302 13 941 130.9 358