Royal Space Agency - British Space Program TL

"Don't try to be a great man, just be a man. And let history make its own judgments" - George Cochrane, 1989.

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Part I - Beginning

Sir George Bernard Alexander Cochrane from Scotland medieval noble family was appointed as Minister of Aerospace in 1970. His membership in Conservative Party gave greater popularity for Edward Heath during general elections on 18 June. Conservatives won it with 360 seats [versus 258 Labour Party and 6 Liberal Party]. He was one of most famous person in British history - war hero who fought as fighter pilot during World War II and Korean War, later Air Marshal. He was one of most famous flying ace during World War II - as a commander of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron in 1940-41 he was marked for his bravery. He was severly wounded on 25 April 1941 when his aircraft Hurricane Mk II engaged two Ju 87. He managed to land on British soil and became flying ace in one day. After his recovery he was moved to No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron as replacement of the temporary commander Por. Maksymilian Lewandowski. During 1943-45 they was active as a night intruder unit over airfields in occupied France. On January 1945, its role was switched to bomber support, combating German night fighters. During war he was awarded with Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Victoria Cross, Air Crew Europe Star. During Korean War he returned to flying corps and served until armstice was signed. On 14 July 1953 he was appointed to Air Marshal and few months later later retired from Royal Air Force. On 1954 he joined Conservative Party and soon became one of most famous politicians in United Kingdom. During 1955-57 he was a Secretary of State for Air in Anthony Eden's government. During 1957-1963 he was a Minister of Defence in Harold Macmillian government. During 1970-1974 he was a Minister of Aerospace. After successful launching of the Orba satellite on Black Arrow R2 launch vehicle he began talks with British Interplanetary Society. On 12 January 1971 he signed "Act of establishing Royal Space Agency". Royal Space Agency was created a two weeks later as governmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, aeronautics and aerospace research. Meanwhile in Scottish island St. Kilda he ordered to build first British cosmodrome.
On 14 June 1972 first British satellite launch from British soil was placed on polar Low Earth Orbit - communications satellite Prospero. Next satellite Eagle was launched two months later on 15 August 1972. Outside scientific instruments it contained apparatus which allowed queen Elizabeth to gave speech about new era in British history.

"Our adventure is just beginning".
 
Wonderful begin

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data on St kilda
group of islands 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of Scotland
it was inhabited to WW2 then it population evacuated to Scotland, only a small military base remain
that Base was radar station and tracking systems so ideal for install launch pad for Black Arrow

here how island looks
Saint_Kilda_20090611_Hirta_-_Village_Bay_overview.jpg
 
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Ekhm, I am happy because you like mine thread [I read alot of yours TLs] but please don't place comment here, okay? I want to do a thread where everyone can read only TL it is easier and quicker.
 
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"Across the sea of space British man take a first step into the stars" - George Cohrane, 1974

Part II - Agreements

Cochrane was poltical savyy who knoh how to deal with politicians - he spent twenty years in British politics, he know art of manipulation and propaganda - he convinced British society and parliamentarians to establish Royal Space Agency and increase funding on it. Even several Labour parliamentarians voted for it!
On 12 January 1971 British Prime Minister signed "Act of establishing Royal Space Agency" with British Interplanetary Society which was merged with newly established organisation. Month later on 12 February 1971 he arrived to Australian capital city Canberra where he met with Prime Minister John Gorton and his government's ministers. After long and controversial meeting Gorton signed "Australian membership in Royal Space Agency". According to this agreement RSA created governor body called "High Council" gathered with representatives from members' countries with ratio one country : one representative. Also each country was obliged to pay 3.5% of his budget into "Joined Space Agency Budget" controlled by "Small Council" gaqthered from Ministers of Treasury from each country.
On 21 February Cochrane arrived in Delhi where after long talks with Indira Ghandhi Indian government agreed to join RSA at same conditions as Australian. On 1 March representatives from RSA signed similar agreement with Canada.
On 1 June 1971 all representatives arrived to London: Arthur Clarke [United Kingdom], Vikram Sarabhai [India], John Herbert Chapman [Canada] and David Fairbairn [Australia]. First issue was leadership - British wanted centralized Command Centre in London, Indians wanted decentralized space program under joint cooperation. Canadians and Australians were undecided. After few days of talks Indians finally agreed with British and ISRO was merged into RSA. Also four representatives decided that High Council will elect President of RSA as representative before other agencies or countries. Arthur Clarke was elected as first President of Royal Space Agency and George Cochrane was elected by queen as British representative. During July 1971 High Council decided that St. Kilda island will be main cosmodrome of RSA - due to this they ordered building of several homes for engineers, scientists and their families. St. Kilda Village inhabited by 200 citizens was completed on 12 December 1971. Next move of High Council's legislative force was creating of the several Research&Design bureaus [R&D] where engineers and scientists with similar specializations was merged into groups.

At July 1971 nine R&D groups were created:
R&D-1 - specialized with rocket designs
R&D-2 - specialized in solid fueled rockets
R&D-3 - specialized in liquid-fueled engines
R&D-4 - specialized in artificial scientific satellites design
R&D-5 - specialized in communication satellites design
R&D-6 - theorists [propulsion]
R&D-7 - theorists [solar power]
R&D-8 - theorists [nuclear power]
R&D-9 - specialized in manned spaceflight
 
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