Out of Space

Out of SpaceFormer Brexit minister and MP, David Jones, has criticised the EU for threatening to kick Britain off the Galileo satellite programme after Brexit, in spite its 1bn contribution. Notwithstanding advanced plans for a rocket by new company, Skyrora, to launch a satellite, this will effectively leave the UK out of space. In 1960 the Conservative government cancelled the mid range Blue Streak rocket, and in 1971 cancelled the smaller Black Arrow rocket

Former Brexit minister and MP, David Jones, has criticised the EU for threatening to kick Britain off the Galileo satellite programme after Brexit, in spite its £1bn contribution.

Notwithstanding advanced plans for a rocket by new company, Skyrora, to launch a satellite, this will effectively leave the UK Ôout of spaceÕ.

In 1960 the Conservative government cancelled the mid-range Blue Streak rocket, and in 1971 cancelled the smaller Black Arrow rocket although it had successfully launched Prospero, a 100kg satellite, into orbit.

It had been Ôkept aliveÕ by PM Wilson through the 1960s in the expectation of becoming a big contender for space work in the future.

The demise of Black Arrow has been shrouded in mystery, but this booklet resulting from exhaustive research, reveals the truth Ð for PM Edward Heath, Black Arrow was a bargaining chip to get President Pompidou to remove FranceÕs veto over joining the Common Market and leaving the French Ariane programme without its British rival.