I know that the British have not carried out any ambitious space-efforts
over the past half-century, but two deepspace unmanned missions hold promise of changing that: "SMART-1" [an ion-propelled lunar-orbiter] & "BEAGLE-2" [Mars lander].

However, the bad news first. SMART-1
has been delayed from Dec/2002 to April/2003.
Pity.
The good news is is that engineers
at Britain's "Open University" have BEGUN the actual assembly, hardware preparation, and testing of BEAGLE-2.
Just in time, too. BEAGLE-2, along with MARS-EXPRESS, are scheduled to depart earth for Mars in May/2003.
Splendid, ole boy.

Raoul? The space news URL is www.spacedaily.com

Jacob