Waxwing

Waxwing was a British solid rocket motor used for apogee kick as the 3rd (upper) stage of the Black Arrow satellite launch vehicles. It was also known as Black Arrow-3. Waxwing was used to successfully place the Prospero X-3 satellite into low Earth orbit on 28 October 1971, Britain's only satellite launched on an indigenously developed launch vehicle. Before being separated from the Black Arrow launch vehicle, it would be spun on a turntable using six radial 'Imp' solid rocket motors to spin stabilise the satellite. This means that any discrepancy in thrust in any direction would be cancelled out. The Waxwing motor is now out of production.

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Frameless

Waxwing upper stage

Black Arrow satellite deployment

Waxwing engine

Waxwing rocket motor science museum

Waxwing apogee kick motor

Waxwing apogee kick motor

Музей навукі ў Лондане 17

Black Arrow model at High Down

Type	Subtype	Date	Description	Notes	Source
commons	image		Waxwing upper stage		Commons
commons	image		Black Arrow satellite deployment		Commons
commons	image		Waxwing engine		Commons
commons	image		Waxwing rocket motor science museum		Commons
commons	image		Waxwing apogee kick motor		Commons
commons	image		Waxwing apogee kick motor		Commons
commons	image		Музей навукі ў Лондане 17		Commons
commons	image		Black Arrow model at High Down		Commons