ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT
Black Arrow | Prospero
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Oct 28, 1971 at 04:09 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
British scientific satellite used to demonstrate technologies needed for communication satellites.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Black ArrowMISSION
Prospero
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Area 5BLAUNCH SITE
RAAF Woomera Range ComplexCOUNTRY
GBR
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 454b8835-f615-41c5-8078-380fffb265fc
Reported date: Oct 28, 1971 at 04:09 UTC
Last synced: 6 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Black Arrow →
MANUFACTURER
Royal Aircraft Establishment
FLIGHTS
2
SUCCESSES
1
SUCCESS RATE
50%
Black Arrow was a British satellite carrier rocket. Developed during the 1960s, it was used for four launches between 1969 and 1971. Its final flight was the first and only successful orbital launch to be conducted by the United Kingdom, and placed the Prospero satellite into low Earth orbit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Black Arrow | Prospero launch?
The Black Arrow | Prospero is scheduled for Thursday, October 28, 1971 at 4:09 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Prospero?
The Black Arrow | Prospero mission uses the Black Arrow rocket, manufactured by Royal Aircraft Establishment. The Black Arrow has flown 2 times with a 50% success rate.
Where is the Black Arrow | Prospero launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Area 5B at RAAF Woomera Range Complex.
What orbit is Prospero going to?
The Prospero mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Prospero?
The Black Arrow | Prospero is operated by Royal Aircraft Establishment.
Can I watch the Black Arrow | Prospero launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 28, 1971 at 04:09 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Royal Aircraft Establishment
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 6 minutes ago
●Launch Library 26 minutes ago
Launch ID: 454b8835-f615-41c5-8078-380fffb265fc
●Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at -30.96, 136.53
Mission Profile
Prospero was a Black Arrow mission operated by Royal Aircraft Establishment that lifted off from Launch Area 5B, RAAF Woomera Range Complex on October 28, 1971. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.