The background of technology which was available in Britain in the mid-1950s and which was relevant, indeed was essential, for the development of a significant UK space science programme in the succeeding years, was generated largely during and shortly after the Second World War. Rocket technology was at the heart of the matter, and this had a long history at least back to the Chinese of the 13th century. We have no technical details of the rocket weapons used by the Chinese although it is reasonable to assume that the basic ingredient was black gunpowder. Rockets were used intermittently in Europe either as weapons or in firework displays throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, although there appears to have been no systematic development of the techniques used.

One of the first major engagements in which Europeans were subjected to rocket attacks occurred during the invasion of the Indian state of Mysore by British forces under Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington). In 1799 enemy rockets from the forces of Tipoo Sultan fell on the British encampment outside Seringapatam. Perhaps it was this first-hand experience which stimulated the British to take serious steps themselves in the development of rockets. At the Royal Laboratory of Woolwich Arsenal, Colonel (later Sir William) Congreve developed a 32 lb rocket with a range of 2000 to 3000 yards. Many thousands of these were produced, but without conspicuous military success. For instance, in the war of 1812 between Britain and the USA, Baltimore was bombarded by British rockets, and in the Peninsular war, Congreve rockets were given at least two trials by Wellington.