Prospero

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

04:09:00

Thursday October 28, 1971

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

Launch Notes

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.

Prospero

Wiki

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

Rocket

Retired
Black Arrow

Active 1970 to 1971

Royal Aircraft Establishment logo

Agency

RAE

Rocket

Height: 13m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 135 kg

Liftoff Thrust

256 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Launch Site

LA-5B

RAAF Woomera Range Complex, Australia

Fastest Turnaround

421 days 3 hours

Stats

Black Arrow


2nd

Mission

1st

Mission of 1971

Royal Aircraft Establishment


2nd

Mission

1st

Mission of 1971

1971


102nd

Orbital launch attempt