View source for Rocket Propulsion Establishment

{{Short description|UK-based military research site at RAF Westcott}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{infobox military installation|image=Looking_East_Across_Westcott_Venture_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_882311.jpg|location=[[Westcott, Buckinghamshire]], UK|map_type= Buckinghamshire|pushpin_map_caption = Location within Buckinghamshire|coordinates={{coord|51.842|-0.975|dim:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title}}}}
[[File:K2 Site - geograph.org.uk - 882313.jpg|right|thumb|The K2 test stand for solid propellant rocket motors<ref name="K2" />]]
The '''Rocket Propulsion Establishment''' at [[Westcott, Buckinghamshire]] on the site of the former [[RAF Westcott]] has made a number of notable contributions in the field of rocket propulsion, including input on the rocket design for the [[Blue Streak missile]] and the propulsion systems on [[Chevaline]]. It was also known as the '''Guided Projectiles Establishment''' and '''PERME Westcott''' ('''Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment, Westcott''').
For many years this establishment was regarded as so secret that it was not marked on [[Ordnance Survey]] maps, although it was present, from necessity, on maps for the use of pilots.
==History==
===Early history===
The establishment was set up in April 1946 under the [[Ministry of Supply]]. In the initial years a team of German scientists worked at the site, and examples of German weapons were on-site for study. These included the [[V-1 flying bomb]]; [[V-2]]; [[Feuerlilie]] F-55 subsonic missile; [[Messerschmitt Me 163B]] rocket-propelled interceptor; [[Rheintochter]]-1 anti-aircraft missile; [[Ruhrstahl X-4]] air-to-air wire-controlled missile; [[Enzian]] E-1 3,150-lb missile; [[Henschel Hs 298]] anti-aircraft missile; [[Hs 293]] anti-shipping weapon; and [[Henschel Hs 117|Schmetterling]] and [[Wasserfall]] anti-aircraft missiles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rocketry at Westcott|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%201382.html|website=Flight magazine|accessdate=5 July 2016|date=21 August 1947}}</ref>
Until the mid 1990s,<ref name="K2" /> Westcott undertook the design and development of rocket motors, and was responsible for most of the rocket motors used in British guided missiles and research vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Government's Contribution to the Industry|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201959.html|website=Flight magazine|accessdate=5 July 2016|date=12 September 1968}}</ref> The design of these complete missile systems was undertaken by the [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] at its facilities in Farnborough and Bedford. In 1984 the Rocket Propulsion Establishment came under the control of the [[Royal Ordnance Factories]], and in 1987 control passed to the private sector when [[British Aerospace]] took over [[Royal Ordnance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/westminster-hall/2002/apr/10/royal-ordnance-factories|title=Royal Ordnance Factories|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=10 April 2002|access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
===Present day===
Much of the site is now Westcott Venture Park, a business park for light industry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Westcott Venture Park|url=http://www.westcottventurepark.com|accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> Businesses include a division of Norwegian company [[Nammo]], which continues design and manufacture of the [[LEROS]] rocket engines, developed by Royal Ordnance; Airborne Engineering Ltd whose capabilities include rocket system design and testing;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ael.co.uk/about/|title=About us|publisher=Airborne Engineering Ltd|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428031103/http://www.ael.co.uk/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Reaction Engines Limited|Reaction Engines Ltd]], who began construction on a rocket test facility to develop their [[SABRE (rocket engine)|SABRE]] rocket engine concept in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newatlas.com/sabre-engine-test-facility-westcott-venture-park/49413/|title=Facility to test SABRE air-breathing engine under construction|last=Quick|first=Darren|date=8 May 2017|website=New Atlas|language=en|access-date=10 May 2017}}</ref>
In 2013, [[English Heritage]] designated the surviving test-stands and control rooms as Grade II* or Grade II [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|listed buildings]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403959|desc=A & B test stands, 1947|access-date=5 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403962|desc=C & D test stands, 1947|access-date=5 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403965|desc=E test stand, 1950s|access-date=5 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403968|desc=K1 test stand, 1968|access-date=5 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
<ref name="K2">{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403971|desc=K2 test stand, 1960|access-date=5 July 2016}}</ref>
<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1403974|desc=P test stand, 1948|access-date=5 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
In 2016, the UK Government announced plans to develop a National Propulsion Test Facility at the site,<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2016 |title=UK National Space Propulsion Facility |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-national-space-propulsion-facility |access-date=10 May 2017 |website=gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> which opened in 2021. It contains, among other things, a test cell capable of testing engines of up to 1,300N thrust. It is a self-contained facility that does not vent exhaust gasses to the outside. Reaction Engines Ltd contributed their heat exchange technology, allowing the exhaust gasses to be quickly cooled from 2000°C to 50°C.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA-led space propulsion test facility passed to UK owner |url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/ESA-led_space_propulsion_test_facility_passed_to_UK_owner |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-06-17 |title=Testing centre for 'more sustainable' rockets opens in Westcott |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57513955 |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Projects==
Example British rocket and missile programmes with RPE involvement follow, many of which were eventually abandoned:
* [[Black Arrow]] – [[Waxwing (rocket motor)|Waxwing]] third-stage motor
* [[Black Knight (rocket)|Black Knight]]
* [[Jaguar (British rocket)|Jaguar]] – first-, second- and third-stage motors
* [[Skylark (rocket)|Skylark]]
<!--* [[Orba X-2]] - space satellite
* [[Prospero X-3]] - space satellite-->
* [[Sea Slug missile]] – for naval use
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:1946 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Aylesbury Vale]]
[[Category:Military research establishments of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Research institutes in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Rocket engine manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rocketry]]
[[Category:Space programme of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Buckinghamshire]]