Solar XUV Observations from Stabilized Skylark Rockets

Abstract

To date all important spectroscopic observations of the Sun in the XUV have been made from stabilized platforms, for example, the bi-axial pointing control on Aerobee rockets [1–3], the OSO satellites [4], and most recently, stabilized Skylark rockets [5–7]. So far three prototype firings on the latter have been made, and the time scale of the project is perhaps of interest. In 1961 the original scientific proposals were made and feasibility studies carried out. The development of the Attitude Control Unit (ACU) and the scientific instruments began in 1962 and the first three launchings took place in August and December 1964 and April 1965 at Woomera, Australia. These flights included two experiments prepared at Culham Laboratory and the results of these will be described below.