Alex McColgan

The 28th of October will mark the 50th year anniversary of the launch of this special satellite, and although it no longer functions, it will likely remain in orbit for another 50 years yet. There is something strangely sad about this unique satellite that only ever ran a couple of scientific experiments, yet we can learn inspiring lessons from its story. But why is it unique?

The 28th of October will mark the 50th year anniversary of the launch of this special satellite, and although it no longer functions, it will likely remain in orbit for another 50 years yet. There is something strangely sad about this unique satellite that only ever ran a couple of scientific experiments, yet we can learn inspiring lessons from its story. But why is it unique?

The 28th of October will mark the 50th year anniversary of the launch of this special satellite, and although it no longer functions, it will likely remain in orbit for another 50 years yet. There is something strangely sad about this unique satellite that only ever ran a couple of scientific experiments, yet we can learn inspiring lessons from its story. But why is it unique?

Prospero is the result of the only time a nation developed its own rocket capacity to put a satellite into space, and then later discarded that capability. I'm Alex McColgan and you're watching Astrum. Join with me as we uncover the early days of space exploration history of my home nation, and the first and only time they put a satellite into space using a rocket of their own making.

Prospero is the result of the only time a nation developed its own rocket capacity to put a satellite into space, and then later discarded that capability. I'm Alex McColgan and you're watching Astrum. Join with me as we uncover the early days of space exploration history of my home nation, and the first and only time they put a satellite into space using a rocket of their own making.

Prospero is the result of the only time a nation developed its own rocket capacity to put a satellite into space, and then later discarded that capability. I'm Alex McColgan and you're watching Astrum. Join with me as we uncover the early days of space exploration history of my home nation, and the first and only time they put a satellite into space using a rocket of their own making.

Today we will be exploring Prospero and the Black Arrow program of the United Kingdom. The UK officially joined the space race in 1962 when they became the third country to operate a satellite in space after Russia and the United States. However, that satellite, Ariel-1, was not launched using a UK rocket, but was instead carried into orbit by NASA.

Today we will be exploring Prospero and the Black Arrow program of the United Kingdom. The UK officially joined the space race in 1962 when they became the third country to operate a satellite in space after Russia and the United States. However, that satellite, Ariel-1, was not launched using a UK rocket, but was instead carried into orbit by NASA.

Today we will be exploring Prospero and the Black Arrow program of the United Kingdom. The UK officially joined the space race in 1962 when they became the third country to operate a satellite in space after Russia and the United States. However, that satellite, Ariel-1, was not launched using a UK rocket, but was instead carried into orbit by NASA.

And as America and the USSR were starting to gear up for their journey to the moon, the United Kingdom was eager not to be left behind. The Royal Aircraft Establishment, which was the closest equivalent the UK had to their own space agency at the time, first proposed the idea of developing their own rockets in 1963. Up until then, UK rocket science was mostly military in nature.

And as America and the USSR were starting to gear up for their journey to the moon, the United Kingdom was eager not to be left behind. The Royal Aircraft Establishment, which was the closest equivalent the UK had to their own space agency at the time, first proposed the idea of developing their own rockets in 1963. Up until then, UK rocket science was mostly military in nature.

And as America and the USSR were starting to gear up for their journey to the moon, the United Kingdom was eager not to be left behind. The Royal Aircraft Establishment, which was the closest equivalent the UK had to their own space agency at the time, first proposed the idea of developing their own rockets in 1963. Up until then, UK rocket science was mostly military in nature.

Blue Streak and Black Knight rockets were developed using the scientific knowledge of German scientists who'd been brought to Britain after World War II, much like what happened in America around the same time, and they were intended to carry nuclear payloads. However, the RAE wanted to make rockets carry satellites into space for scientific and communication purposes.

Blue Streak and Black Knight rockets were developed using the scientific knowledge of German scientists who'd been brought to Britain after World War II, much like what happened in America around the same time, and they were intended to carry nuclear payloads. However, the RAE wanted to make rockets carry satellites into space for scientific and communication purposes.

Blue Streak and Black Knight rockets were developed using the scientific knowledge of German scientists who'd been brought to Britain after World War II, much like what happened in America around the same time, and they were intended to carry nuclear payloads. However, the RAE wanted to make rockets carry satellites into space for scientific and communication purposes.

Their initial request was for a low Earth orbit rocket that could carry a 144kg satellite into orbit. The request was approved in 1964, but was quickly put on hold due to an upcoming general election. A new government came in and restarted the process, but decided to reduce the number of test flights from 5 to 3.

Their initial request was for a low Earth orbit rocket that could carry a 144kg satellite into orbit. The request was approved in 1964, but was quickly put on hold due to an upcoming general election. A new government came in and restarted the process, but decided to reduce the number of test flights from 5 to 3.

Their initial request was for a low Earth orbit rocket that could carry a 144kg satellite into orbit. The request was approved in 1964, but was quickly put on hold due to an upcoming general election. A new government came in and restarted the process, but decided to reduce the number of test flights from 5 to 3.

This was the beginning of the slow withering of the UK's rocket abilities, before they had even really begun.

This was the beginning of the slow withering of the UK's rocket abilities, before they had even really begun.