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Black Arrow: British Rocket Science and the Cold War
Fathom
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| Seminar Introduction |
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 The Black Arrow represents Britain's only attempt to launch a spacecraft using a British rocket. The Black Arrow programme comprised a series of five rockets between 1966 and 1971. R4 is the last of the Black Arrow space rockets. It hangs majestically in the Science Museum, its streamlined silver skin cold and its formidable engines silent. They belch no flame, produce no thunder, merely hint at what they might unleash. The rocket's predecessor, Black Arrow R3, carried the Prospero satellite into orbit in 1971. With a few new components and a full load of propellants, R4 could also be readied for launch--the vehicle on display is virtually intact. Instead, it remains static, a mute reminder of the awesome power of twentieth-century technology, a technology that released us from Earth's clutches and propelled us into orbit. This is the story of how R4 was sent to the Museum rather than into space.
This seminar draws on the Science Museum's unique collection of rocket engines and vehicles to tell Black Arrow's story. It relates the technological history to the political climate at the time, both in Britain and abroad. In doing so it outlines how and why Black Arrow was created and later allowed to die. This seminar will be of interest to those who wish to know more of the forces that drive space exploration and to those who are interested in Britain's political, military and technological aspirations during the Cold War.
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| Learning Objectives |
- Analyse why the Cold War created a space race.
Understand British rocket-technology development from the late 1950s to early 1970s. Explain what factors held British rocket scientists back from achieving their goals. Describe Black Arrow's launch record and subsequent early retirement.
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| Sessions |
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| Credits |
Copyright of the Trustees of the Science Museum, London
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
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