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Luton we have a problem

Interesting timing on this article. A fortnight ago was the 50th anniversary of the first static rocket test at the Highdown test site at the Needles New Battery (Isle of Wight). The site tested British-developed Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets including the rocket responsible for putting the only all-British satellite Prospero into orbit. At the time, we were at the forefront of the technology. The development was slowly strangled and eventually destroyed after the Prospero success by the Government of the time. The site and development records were mostly destroyed, but the National Trust has recently re-opened some of the site to visitors with an exhibition on the rocket testing. Visitors are constantly amazed that we even had a Space Programme, and are universally dismayed at its downfall.

26 Apr 2007

11:48 am