Britain technically has a 'space program'. But it's one that can't launch anything, barely employs anyone and has a miniscule annual budget.

This has not always been the case.

This video is a technical deep dive into an unusual launch system that had a tragically short life: Black Arrow. 50 years later, we look back and imagine what could have been, had the UK government not cancelled the program. And we take a look at where UK spaceflight is today and how a revival of Black Arrow's legacy may be around the corner.

And yes, I know Black Arrow is 'officially' capitalized. But I don't want the title to appear like clickbait.

3D modelling by Artem Tatarchenko
Instagram: hedgehog.rave

(the lower quality renders without the watermark were done by me)

NASA video clips from NASA Image and Video Library

Black Arrow launch footage: IWM

Sources:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/da6hsx...

00:00 Intro
00:50 system overview
12:37 the peroxide engine cycle
20:10 engine design
29:20 aerodynamic stability
34:47 launch history
36:44 politics
44:11 the next 50 years
56:21 present day
01:00:29 outro