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.

We track every launch from UK.

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. NowJun 15 · 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