You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
What if in 1933 when BIS was estabilished Great Britain government change Explosive Act and registered [maybe in Ministry of Defence] societies will be allowed to test rockets?
I think that BIS could test several rockets [first liquid-fueled rocket in UK maybe?] gather some money for other projects and would have biggest rocketry base in '44 and '45 when V-2 bombardment started. Later they might convince Churchill after war to develop their own space program and rocketry.
I they have better technology and engineers or scientists [who will work on real rockets, not only plans] i think that Megaroc project might be cheaper [it should be easier to modify V-2 rocket when you have more experienced engineers]. In addition they might use other argument for rocketry development - rockets are faster than planes, even jet planes and RAF could not shoot down V-2s during war. This shows that rockets are more powerful than fighters or even bombers - it is unstoppable weapon.
So i think that Britain could send satellite before USA and USSR [maybe 1955] or even man into space before them [1960?]. I assume that Britain requires time for recovering after war so program would haven't begun until 50s.