United Kingdom Aerospace and Weapons Projects

For a more in-depth analysis of the United Kingdom's space effort, please visit Nicholas Hill's British Rocketry pages at Space UK.

011103 L = length, S = span, W = weight, R = range, Ø = diameter

Name

Description

Remarks

Particulars

Ariel

Satellite series

Ariel I was built by NASA to UK specification. Ariel 3 Was first UK built spacecraft. Known as UK-n before launch.

N/A

Black Arrow

Three stage Saro satellite launcher.

Four ASM Gamma II engines, two Gamma engines and a Waxwing. Launched Prospero.

50000lb (222.4KN) thrust at lift off.

Black Knight

Saro research rocket.

Used to test re-entry vehicles for Blue Streak. Four ASM Gamma engines.

16000lb (71.2KN) thrust at lift off.

Black Prince

Blue Streak + Black Knight + third stage. Unofficial name for BSSLV (Blue Streak Satellite Launch Vehicle). Also known as Blue Star.

Proposed satellite launcher. Not proceeded with.

N/A

Blue Star

Three stage launcher.

Unofficial name for BSSLV (Blue Streak Satellite Launch Vehicle). Also known as Black Prince. Cancelled.

N/A

BSSLV

Blue Streak Satellite Launch Vehicle.

Proposed satellite launcher. Not proceeded with. Also known as Blue Star and Black Prince.

N/A

ESRO

Hawker Siddeley Dynamics satellite. European Space Research Organisation

ESRO II was launched in May 1968

N/A

Europa

Three stage launcher using Blue Streak as the first stage.

With additional Coralie and Astris stages Blue Streak was developed into the Europa launcher for the European Launcher Development Organisation, ELDO.

N/A

Orba

Small test satellite.

Launched on Black Arrow. To measure orbital drag by observing orbital decay.

N/A

Prospero

UK satellite.

Launched on Black Arrow.

N/A

Skynet

UK military communications satellites.

Provide secure communications for the UK MOD. Four main types: I, II, IV and V. See Zircon.

N/A

SLAVE

Saro Satellite Launch Vehicle

Based on Black Arrow with four Stentor engines instead of eight Gammas in the First stage.

Capable of launching 400lb (181.5Kg)

UK-n

BAC Satellite series known as Ariel when in orbit.

Scientific research satellites for various roles.

N/A

Zircon

Comint / Sigint satellite.

Obscured in the Skynet IV programme. Project was hidden from Parliament for years. Eventually foundered due to high maintenance costs. Cancelled.

N/A