Blue Streak (missile)

Common card · No. 251972

The de Havilland Propellers Blue Streak was a British Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), and later the first stage of the Europa satellite launch vehicle. Blue Streak was cancelled without entering full production. The project was intended to maintain an independent British nuclear deterrent, replacing the V bomber fleet which would become obsolete by 1965. The operational requirement for the missile was issued in 1955 and the design was complete by 1957. During development, it became clear that the missile system was too expensive and too vulnerable to a surprise attack. The missile project was cancelled in 1960, with US-led Skybolt the preferred replacement. After Blue Streak's cancellation as a weapon system, the Macmillan government considered using the redundant rocket system for space launch purposes. Studies had examined the feasibility of using Blue Streak as the first stage of a British satellite launch vehicle, usually with a derivative of Black Knight as the second...

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