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iii.

obtained. If, however, [[underline]] successive charges [[/underline]] were fired in the [[underline]] same chamber [[/underline]], much as in a rapid fire gun, [[underline]] most of the mass of the rocket could consist of propellant [[/underline]], and the superiority over the ordinary rocket could be increased enormously. Such reloading mechanisms, together with what is termed a "primary and secondary" rocket principle, are the subject of certain United States Letters Patent (page 4). Inasmuch as these two features are self-evidently operative, it was not considered necessary to perform experiments concerning them, in order to be certain of the practicability of the general method.

Regarding the heights that could be reached by the above method; an application of the theory to cases which the experiments show must be realizable in practice indicates that a mass of pound could be elevated to altitudes of 35, 72, and 232 miles; by employing initial masses of from 3.6 to 12.6, from 5.1 to 24.3, and from 9.8 to 89.6 lbs., respectively (Table VII, page 53). If a device of the Coston ship rocket type were used instead, the initial masses would be of the order of magnitude of [[underline]] those above, raised to the 27th power [[/underline]]. It should be understood that if the mass of the recording instruments alone were one pound, the entire final mass would be 3 or 4 lbs.

Regarding the possibility of recovering apparatus upon its return; calculations (pages 59 to 62) show that the times of ascent and descent will be short, and that a small parachute should be sufficient to ensure safe landing.

Calculations indicate, further, (pages 63 to 65) that with a rocket of high efficiency, consisting chiefly of propellant material, it should be possible to send small masses even to such great distances