Spadeadam Rocket Establishment
1955 In order to test Britain's intermediate range missile, Blue Streak, a site was required for the development and testing of the missile's engines, internal systems and its associated ground control equipment. After the development phase a range would be required for the systematic testing of each missile before they entered service. For these reasons, a remote site, with sparse population was needed.
Spadeadam fulfilled many of the selection criteria; also it was under Forestry Commission control which would both reduce the cost and speed up negotiations about the acquisition of the land.
The project required close collaboration between many government departments although most of the work on the design of the missile and its engines was carried out by two private sector companies - the de Havilland Propellor Company and Rolls-Royce.
The test facilities at Spadeadam consisted of areas for the testing of components, engines and assembled missiles as well as a production area for the manufacturing of cryogenics. The site was administered from a central area and supported by an infrastructure for the supply of essential resources, such as fuel and water, and for the removal and treatment of waste products.
Given the size and complexity of the project a new consortium, British Oxygen-Wimpey, was formed to carry out the construction work. On completion the establishment was managed on behalf of the Ministry by Rolls-Royce although sections of the site were under the day to day control of de Havilland Propellers Ltd. The provision and movement of liquid and high pressure gases was a specialised activity and it was managed on an agency basis by British Oxygen Gases.
1960 After the cancellation of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) project in 1960, the level of testing was reduced and some parts of the establishment were closed.
1962 The European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) was formed. Blue Streak was used as the first stage of the ELDO rocket Europa I.
Spadeadam was still the largest facility devoted to the development of large rockets outside of the United States and the USSR.
mid-1960s ELDO began preliminary studies into the use of liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen for its upper stage rocket engine. In 1965 it awarded Rolls-Royce a contract to develop an experimental thrust chamber. Basic research into the use of liquid hydrogen as a rocket fuel was also being undertaken at the Explosive Research and Development Establishment, Waltham Abbey, and the Rocket Propulsion Establishment, Westcott, where there were limited research facilities. These establishments were more usually concerned with the development of military propellants and missile systems whereas it was envisaged that the principal use for liquid hydrogen engines would be in large civilian launch vehicles.
The facilities continued in use as part of the ELDO project until 1971.
1971 Britain withdrew from the ELDO organisation and the final cancellation of the project came in April 1972
1973 In preparation for a new role housing the Proof and Experimental Establishment (P&EE), then at Shoeburyness, management of the range was handed over to the Property Services Agency. The Department of the Environment was responsible for the design of the new range in consultation with P&EE Shoeburyness.
1975 As a result of a change of government and government policy, it was announced that P&EE Spadeadam was to be run down and closed over a two year period.
1976 RAF Spadeadam was established
1977 The station began operating as an Electronic Warfare Tactics Range; in 2004 it was said to be one of only two such facilities in Europe.
British Gas started to test the laying of gas mains in the late 1960s at Spadeadam; the work continued under the management of British Gas Technology Ltd, later renamed Advantica; the activities broadened into other areas of potentially hazardous research and technical research work for the oil and gas, process and energy industries.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] English Heritage