/
Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
04:09:00
Thursday October 28, 1971
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
First successful orbital launch of the Black Arrow rocket. Last flight of Black Arrow. First English satellite to be sent into orbit by an English rocket. The United Kingdom becomes the 6th space power, after the USSR, the USA, France, Japan and China. Last orbital flight from Australia.
The Prospero satellite, also known as the X-3, was launched by the United Kingdom in 1971. It was designed to undertake a series of experiments to study the effects of space environment on communications satellites and remained operational until 1973, after which it was contacted annually for over 25 years. Although Prospero was the first British satellite to have been launched successfully by a British rocket, the first British satellite placed in orbit was Ariel 1, launched in April 1962 on a U.S. rocket. Prospero was built by the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough. Initially called Puck, it was designed to conduct experiments to test the technologies necessary for communication satellites. Two experimental solar cells setups were tested. One was a test of a lightweight cell and mounting. The other was an attempt to replace the standard fused silica cover of solar cells with a Cerium oxide-based cover. Designs for telemetry and power systems were also tested. It also carried a micrometeoroid detector, to measure the presence of very small particles. The detector worked on the principle of impact ionisation. When the Ministry of Defence cancelled the Black Arrow programme, the development team decided to continue with the project but renamed the satellite Prospero when it was announced it would be the last launch attempt using a British rocket.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
66 kilograms
2nd
Mission
1st
Mission of 1971
2nd
Mission
1st
Mission of 1971
102nd
Orbital launch attempt