We are such stuff as dreams are made on…
26 Apr 2012, 19:54 UTC
Why that’s my dainty Ariel! I shall miss thee: But thou shalt have freedom: so, so ,so.
Prospero, The Tempest, Act V
At 18:00:16 GMT on 26th April 1962 UK-1, better known a Ariel, escaped to the freedom of orbit aboard a Thor-Delta rocket. So began the history of Britain in space. For 50 years the UK has had a toe-hold in orbit which all began with the Ariel program.
"All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I comeTo answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly,To swim, to dive into the fire, to rideOn the curl'd clouds, to thy strong bidding taskAriel and all his quality." Tempest Act I (photo NASA)
“This thing of darkness…” The Tempest Act V
It was a successful program that saw 6 satellites launched over 17 years, each of which carried out a range of science and astronomy experiments that help further our exploration of space. Ariel 2 was the first spacecraft built for radio astronomy. Ariel 3, the first entirely UK built space craft, looked at the thermosphere and lightning radio noise. Ariel 4 conducted ionospheric research while Ariel 5 launched 3 years later was an X-ray space observatory. The last spirit servant, Ariel ...
