Emerging

UK

Emerging space power

Black Arrow put a UK satellite in orbit in October 1971 — then the government cancelled the programme the same year, the only country to give up orbital capability it had already proven. Half a century later, the UK is trying to build that capability back from spaceports in Shetland and Cornwall.

Programmesince 1969
1969·first launchOrbex·leading provider
launches, home and abroad
4
launches
upcoming
1
upcoming
success
50%
success

1 Spaceport

Where UK’s launches lift off.

Past launches
0
past launches
Upcoming launches
+1
upcoming
SaxaVord
20252027
SaxaVord
0+1
20252027

Fleet Overview

2 rockets in UK's fleet

Prime
Orbex
1

Launch Activity

Past launches and what's coming up

  1. Jun 28196922:58UTC
    Jun 281969
    22:58UTC
    Failed
  2. Mar 04197021:15UTC
    Mar 041970
    21:15UTC
    Success
  3. Sep 02197000:34UTC
    Sep 021970
    00:34UTC
    Failed
  4. Oct 28197104:09UTC
    Oct 281971
    04:09UTC
    Success
  5. NowMay 31 · 2026
  6. Upcoming

  7. 2026
    2026
    Orbex

Launch Providers

1 commercial provider and state-operated launches from UK

Every launch from UK has been state-operated, all on the Black Arrow. The programme has flown 4 launches.

Orbex

Upcoming launches
1
upcoming
2021: 0 launches2022: 0 launches2023: 0 launches2024: 0 launches2025: 0 launches2026: 0 launchesEmerging
Operates Prime (in development)next in ~7mo