About this record

This is a hand-drawn diagram of a rocket ship by a young Denis Cox, sent in October 1957 to 'A Top Scientist at Woomera Rocket Range, South Australia'. It highlights how younger generations were fascinated by the race between world superpowers to be the first to successfully pilot missions into outer space.

Educational value

• Denis designed his rocket to be powered by four Rolls Royce jet engines which can be fired individually or together as required. Guided missiles give the craft military capability. An integrated radio and radar antenna mounted on the nose of the rocket provides the pilot and navigator with access to tracking and communications systems.
• Seeing a greater role for Australia in the space race, Denis emphasised that his rocket would have 'Australian markings'. Having provided the rocket prototype, the young designer invited the top scientist to 'put in other details'.
• Keen to know how his ideas would be received, Denis instructed the scientist to 'Please write me a letter back'.
• Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia was established in April 1947 under the Joint United Kingdom–Australia Long Range Weapons Project (1946–80). The collaboration would see Australia play a key role in the development of rocket technology and would have a far-reaching impact on our defence and security policy.
• The first missile from Woomera was launched on 22 March 1949. Woomera has been used for atomic weapons testing, satellite launches and for tracking spacecraft, including the Mercury manned mission.