In 1956, the Canadian Armament Research and Development Establishment (CARDE) at Valcartier, Quebec, began work on "CARDEPLEX," a new polyurethene-based solid propellant. To test the propellant, Bristol of England and Bristol of Canada constructed the Black Brant I.
(CARDE photo)
Success of the Black Brant I inspired CARDE and Bristol of Canada to produced an improved version, the
Black Brant II, in 1959, In the 1960's Bristol redesigned this rocket to become the Black Brant VA. With
improved propellants it became today's Black Brant V, one of the most used research rockets in North America.
(Source: Rockets of the World 2002 Supplement)
Dimensions
Length: 24 ft, 4 in (7.42 m)
Diameter: 17.2 in (43.5 cm)
Weight: 2493 lb (1130 kg)
Thrust: 25,000 lb (110,000 N)
Duration: 20 sec
Impulse: 375,000 lb-s (1,679,000 N-s)
Payload: 240 lb (109 kg)
Ceiling: 50 mi (80 km)
First Firing: 5 September, 1959
Total Launches from 5 September 1959 to 6 April 1963: 16