UK Rocketry Altitude Records

The table below is designed to provide a quick overview of current comparative amateur, high power and model rocketry verified altitude records for UK built rockets. The latest version of the UK verified altitude records is maintained by the United Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA), and the data on the UKRA website represents the definitive source of data for UK altitude records.
This graph will not always be as up to date as the UK records data on the UKRA website.

Please note. These are verified altitude records, where it has been possible for the record to be verified by qualified, independent third parties.

Rocket Organisation / person Altitude Motor
Impulse Airframe
Diameter Date Measurement Method

Thunder 'n Lightning
2-stage, fibreglass covered phenolic Hugh Gemmell, SRA 4363 metres (14398 feet) 2560 Newton seconds
1080 Newton seconds 68 mm March 2000 Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Transolve P2)

Transient Glory
Single stage, fibreglass Ben Jarvis, M.A.R.S. 4244 metres (14,006 feet) 5700 Newton seconds 102 mm August 1998 Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Cambridge Instruments IA-X96) and ground tracking

Quantum Leap
2 stage, Phenolic Rob O' Brien 4210 metres (13,895 feet) 1706 Newton seconds
1706 Newton seconds 75 mm March 2000 Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (ALTACC)

Phobos-1
2 stage, Fibreglass M.A.R.S. 4162 metres (13,737 feet) 1706 Newton seconds
1080 Newton seconds 58 mm April 1999 Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (ALTACC)

Pyrogenesis
Single stage, Aluminium Charles Simpson 3969 metres (13,099 feet) 5700 Newton seconds 105 mm August 1998 Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Cambridge Instruments IA-X96) and ground tracking

ASPIRE I
Single stage, aluminium AspireSpace 3500 metres (11,200 feet) 9100 Newton seconds 110 mm July 1992 Radar Tracking and Photogrammetry from onboard camera

Before 1992, the noted altitude record for a UK amateur rocket had been held by the South Wales Amateur Rocketry Group (SWARG) for over 20 years ! Their apogee altitude, stood at just over 7000 feet.

Motor Rocket Scratch-built / Kit Organisation / person Airframe
Diameter Altitude Comments

A-class

B-class

C-class

D-class Comanche-5
5 stage - Estes D12-0, D12-0, C6-0, C6-0, C6-5 Modified Kit Marcus Lauder 25.4mm (1 inch) 4000 feet + Launched at the 1996 Scottish Rocket Weekend

E-class

F-class

G-class

Rocket	Organisation / person	Altitude	Motor Impulse	Airframe Diameter	Date	Measurement Method
Thunder 'n Lightning 2-stage, fibreglass covered phenolic	Hugh Gemmell, SRA	4363 metres (14398 feet)	2560 Newton seconds 1080 Newton seconds	68 mm	March 2000	*Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Transolve P2)*
Transient Glory Single stage, fibreglass	Ben Jarvis, M.A.R.S.	4244 metres (14,006 feet)	5700 Newton seconds	102 mm	August 1998	*Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Cambridge Instruments IA-X96) and ground tracking*
Quantum Leap 2 stage, Phenolic	Rob O' Brien	4210 metres (13,895 feet)	1706 Newton seconds 1706 Newton seconds	75 mm	March 2000	*Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (ALTACC)*
Phobos-1 2 stage, Fibreglass	M.A.R.S.	4162 metres (13,737 feet)	1706 Newton seconds 1080 Newton seconds	58 mm	April 1999	*Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (ALTACC)*
Pyrogenesis Single stage, Aluminium	Charles Simpson	3969 metres (13,099 feet)	5700 Newton seconds	105 mm	August 1998	*Onboard altimeter/accelerometer (Cambridge Instruments IA-X96) and ground tracking*
ASPIRE I Single stage, aluminium	AspireSpace	3500 metres (11,200 feet)	9100 Newton seconds	110 mm	July 1992	Radar Tracking and Photogrammetry from onboard camera

Motor	Rocket	Scratch-built / Kit	Organisation / person	Airframe Diameter	Altitude	Comments
A-class
B-class
C-class
D-class	Comanche-5 5 stage - Estes D12-0, D12-0, C6-0, C6-0, C6-5	Modified Kit	Marcus Lauder	*25.4mm (1 inch)*	4000 feet +	Launched at the 1996 Scottish Rocket Weekend
E-class
F-class
G-class