Black Arrow Launches Prospero Into Orbit
On October 28, 1971, a Black Arrow rocket launched the Prospero satellite from Woomera, Australia.
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A British Rocket, a British Satellite
On October 28, 1971, a Black Arrow rocket launched the Prospero satellite from Woomera, Australia. The flight demonstrated a British satellite-launch capability.
Technology Experiments
Prospero was designed to test equipment for later spacecraft. Its purpose was experimental, not to carry astronauts or travel to another planet.
The Launcher’s Role
Black Arrow was a small three-stage launch vehicle. Its engineering and scale differed from the much larger rockets associated with crewed lunar missions.
Success After Cancellation
The program had already been cancelled when the successful mission flew. The achievement therefore did not lead to a continuing series of operational British launches on the same rocket.
A Carefully Defined First
Prospero was the first British satellite placed in orbit by a British rocket. It was not the first British satellite launched by any means.
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