Many things have been said in the past year or two about the value of using Blue Streak to launch satellites and probes into space. Practical sense has at last triumphed and we have recently learned, with a great feeling of relief, that the European Space Launcher Organisation (ESLO) is now to be convened and there is now little doubt that a multi-stage satellite launcher rocket will be developed based on Blue Streak.

Unfortunately, there has been much misconception and loose thinking surrounding the Blue Streak concept and much unreal speculation on its life expectancy, performance limitations and general capability—mostly under-estimates. I would like therefore to try to summarise the present situation regarding the rocket, its ground facilities and its space applications.