Just to be pedantic, the UK successfully launched a satellite into orbit in 1971 using a domestic launch system: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Arrow" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Arrow</a> Admittedly, they did launch from Australia. Shortly after successful demonstration, the program was scrapped. Turns out it was probably cheaper to just contract with the Americans.