Alex McColgan

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

Using the technology of the Black Knight rockets, RAE scientists began to develop the Black Arrow, a three-stage rocket that, although it used a lot of the same technology as the Black Knight, was considerably more powerful, producing an initial 256kN of thrust compared to the Black Knight's 96kN.

Using the technology of the Black Knight rockets, RAE scientists began to develop the Black Arrow, a three-stage rocket that, although it used a lot of the same technology as the Black Knight, was considerably more powerful, producing an initial 256kN of thrust compared to the Black Knight's 96kN.

Using the technology of the Black Knight rockets, RAE scientists began to develop the Black Arrow, a three-stage rocket that, although it used a lot of the same technology as the Black Knight, was considerably more powerful, producing an initial 256kN of thrust compared to the Black Knight's 96kN.

The first stage would carry the payload for the first two minutes or so of the launch, before falling away. The second stage would burn for two more minutes, before splitting in half, releasing the third stage and the payload. After separation, the third stage would burn for a minute, and a minute later again, the payload and final stage would separate.

The first stage would carry the payload for the first two minutes or so of the launch, before falling away. The second stage would burn for two more minutes, before splitting in half, releasing the third stage and the payload. After separation, the third stage would burn for a minute, and a minute later again, the payload and final stage would separate.

The first stage would carry the payload for the first two minutes or so of the launch, before falling away. The second stage would burn for two more minutes, before splitting in half, releasing the third stage and the payload. After separation, the third stage would burn for a minute, and a minute later again, the payload and final stage would separate.

Parts of the Black Arrow were constructed around the UK, with much of the assembly taking place in the Isle of Wight. with the launch site itself being in Australia, a Commonwealth country. Other test sites closer to home had been considered, but in the end it was decided that the risk of spent rocket parts falling on locations in the UK was too great.

Parts of the Black Arrow were constructed around the UK, with much of the assembly taking place in the Isle of Wight. with the launch site itself being in Australia, a Commonwealth country. Other test sites closer to home had been considered, but in the end it was decided that the risk of spent rocket parts falling on locations in the UK was too great.

Parts of the Black Arrow were constructed around the UK, with much of the assembly taking place in the Isle of Wight. with the launch site itself being in Australia, a Commonwealth country. Other test sites closer to home had been considered, but in the end it was decided that the risk of spent rocket parts falling on locations in the UK was too great.

However, the Wilson government of the day was going through difficult times financially, and was looking for ways to reduce its outgoing costs. They had another project underway that was demanding large investment, the supersonic airliner Concorde, and the UK government didn't want to invest in both programs. Ideally, they didn't want to spend money on either.

However, the Wilson government of the day was going through difficult times financially, and was looking for ways to reduce its outgoing costs. They had another project underway that was demanding large investment, the supersonic airliner Concorde, and the UK government didn't want to invest in both programs. Ideally, they didn't want to spend money on either.

However, the Wilson government of the day was going through difficult times financially, and was looking for ways to reduce its outgoing costs. They had another project underway that was demanding large investment, the supersonic airliner Concorde, and the UK government didn't want to invest in both programs. Ideally, they didn't want to spend money on either.

Ironically, they decided that Concorde had the better long-term prospects for the UK economy than satellite technology, which is a shame because Concorde ended up grounded altogether in 2003. It wasn't that they didn't think satellites would benefit the economy, it was that no one could agree on who should cover the development costs.

Ironically, they decided that Concorde had the better long-term prospects for the UK economy than satellite technology, which is a shame because Concorde ended up grounded altogether in 2003. It wasn't that they didn't think satellites would benefit the economy, it was that no one could agree on who should cover the development costs.

Ironically, they decided that Concorde had the better long-term prospects for the UK economy than satellite technology, which is a shame because Concorde ended up grounded altogether in 2003. It wasn't that they didn't think satellites would benefit the economy, it was that no one could agree on who should cover the development costs.

On top of this, unfortunately, the Black Arrow program began to run into technical problems too. Although its maiden flight, testing its first two stages, was to occur in 1968, it wasn't until 1969 that the first Black Arrow launched, and that launch was a failure. An electrical fault caused some of its combustion chambers to pivot, causing the rocket to roll erratically.

On top of this, unfortunately, the Black Arrow program began to run into technical problems too. Although its maiden flight, testing its first two stages, was to occur in 1968, it wasn't until 1969 that the first Black Arrow launched, and that launch was a failure. An electrical fault caused some of its combustion chambers to pivot, causing the rocket to roll erratically.

On top of this, unfortunately, the Black Arrow program began to run into technical problems too. Although its maiden flight, testing its first two stages, was to occur in 1968, it wasn't until 1969 that the first Black Arrow launched, and that launch was a failure. An electrical fault caused some of its combustion chambers to pivot, causing the rocket to roll erratically.

It ended up disintegrating and was ultimately completely destroyed. The second launch, where it was testing the first two stages again, went off successfully, but the Black Arrow's third and final test launch, where it first attempted to reach a full orbit, was also a failure.