Megaroc facts for kids
| Function | Human-rated sub-orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Size | |
| Height | 17.5 m (57 ft) |
| Diameter | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Mass | 21,200 kg (46,700 lb) |
| Stages | 1 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to sub-orbital trajectory | 586 kg (1,292 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Total launches | 0 |
| Notable payloads | BIS Capsule |
| Single stage | |
| Engines | 1 |
| Thrust | 265.0 kN (59,600 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 203 s (1.99 km/s) |
| Burn time | 148.5 s |
| Fuel | LOX/ethyl alcohol |
Megaroc was an exciting idea for a rocket from Britain. It was designed to carry a person into space, but not all the way into orbit around Earth. This type of flight is called "suborbital." The idea came from a group called the British Interplanetary Society in 1946.
Megaroc was based on the famous V2 rocket, which was used during World War II. However, the Megaroc was changed a lot to make it safe for a human pilot. It was similar to the American Mercury-Redstone rocket, which later sent the first American into space.
How Megaroc Was Designed
Megaroc used many ideas from the V2 rocket. But most parts were changed for its new purpose. For example, the fuel tanks were made bigger to hold more fuel. This extra fuel was needed to send the rocket higher.
The V2 rocket had large fins at its base for stability. Megaroc removed these fins. Instead, the rocket was designed to spin slowly as it flew. This spinning helped keep it stable during its journey. Today, spinning is a common way to stabilize rockets.
Instead of a warhead, Megaroc had a special capsule at the top. This capsule was not pressurized, meaning it did not have its own air supply. The pilot inside would wear a special suit to breathe and stay safe.
A Trip to Space and Back
As the rocket climbed, it would get lighter because it was using up fuel. This meant it would speed up quickly. The pilot could control the engine's power to keep the forces on their body (called "g-load") from getting too high. The goal was to keep the g-load below 3.3 times the force of gravity.
Once the rocket was high above Earth's thick atmosphere, the main engine would shut off. Then, the capsule with the pilot would separate from the rest of the rocket.
To return safely, parachutes would open very early in the journey back down. They would deploy when the capsule was still about 113 kilometers (70 miles) high. Opening the parachutes so early meant the capsule didn't need heavy heat shielding. Both the capsule and the main rocket body were designed to land softly. The idea was that they could be used again for future flights. Megaroc was planned to reach an altitude of over 304 kilometers (189 miles).
Why Megaroc Was Cancelled
The people who designed Megaroc knew it would take time to build and test it. They thought it would need about five years of development. This meant the first flight might happen around 1951 or 1952.
However, the British government decided not to go forward with the Megaroc project. After World War II, Britain had very limited money and resources. The government chose to focus on other research, like nuclear weapons and traditional military projects. These seemed more important for immediate defense. Even when more money became available later, Britain generally avoided expensive space research. They only supported space projects if they were cheap and came from military ideas.
