Forty Nine years ago, Black Arrow launches Prospero from Woomera LA-5B.

[Notebook]

And, that was the end of the UK rocket program...

Prospero (spacecraft) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The satellite was originally called Puck after the character in A Midsummer's Night Dream. A mischievous fairy, sprite or jester.
News came through of the cancellation of the Black Arrow program just before launch.
The satellite was re-named Prospero, after the wizard in The Tempest who gives up his magic powers.

Our revels now are ended: These our actors—,
As I foretold you—, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind: we are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep. — The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1

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[Sbb1413]

Unfortunately, all the rocket powers possessed by the UK are lost. Black Arrow was a very good rocket in some aspects. Fortunately, startup companies like Orbex are developing small rockets to launch from UKSA Sutherland, Scotland in this decade.

 

[Notebook]

Its with hindsight and growing up with Dan Dare! The cancellation link provides info on why and as the author says, you can't really disagree with it.

My hopes are on Reaction Engines and Sabre engine. don't mind if Skylon doesn't make it, but if the Sabre disappears into DARPA that would be...

They have tried Scotland for launch sites before...

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