Black Arrow R4, 1972, shown with an Ariel

Black Arrow R4, 1972, shown with an Ariel satellite. Britain developed the Black Arrow as its national satellite launcher. Based on the small Black Knight research rocket, it was a three-stage vehicle 13.1m tall. The first two stages were liquid fuelled and the final stage used a single solid rocket motor. The first test in June 1969 failed. The second test in March 1970 was succesful, and cleared the way for a satellite to be launched in September 1970. In July 1971 the programme was cancelled but the remaining rocket was fired in October 1971,