Success
Asterix
Test Flight
National Center of Space Research(CNES)Government
Diamant A
LEOorbit
First french satellite
Friday, November 26, 1965 at 2:47 PM
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#500
CNES Mission
#1
Pad Launch
#1
Location Launch
#1
Designator
1965-096
Launch Window
NET
Nov 26, 1965, 2:47 PM
Schedule Changes
1 update
Interarmy Special Vehicles Test Centre, French Algeria
The Centre Interarmées d'Essais d'Engins Spéciaux was France's first space launch and ballistic missile testing facility. Outside France, the facility is often referred to by the name of the nearest town, Hammaguir. It was established on 24 April 1947, by ministerial decree as the Special Weapons Test Center (CEES, Centre d'essais d'engins spéciaux) for use by the French Army. In 1948, it was turned over to the French Air Force, who renamed it CIEES. Its remote location in the middle of the Saharan Desert and its relative closeness to the Equator (compared with Metropolitan France) made it an attractive launch site for missiles and orbital rockets.
Timezone
Africa/Algiers
Local Launch Time
Nov 26, 1965, 2:47 PM
Total Launches
4
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
30.7781, -3.0553
Diamant A Specs
The Diamant rocket (Diamant is French for "diamond") was the first exclusively French expendable launch system and at the same time the first satellite launcher not built by either the United States or USSR. As such, it has been referred to as being a key predecessor for all subsequent European launcher projects.
Length
18.95 m
Diameter
1.34 m
Launch Mass
18 t
Thrust
301 kN
LEO Capacity
160 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1965
Fastest Turnaround
7d
Total Launches
4
Successful
4
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
4
Maiden flight: Nov 26, 1965
National Center of Space Research
The National Center of Space Research, or CNES, is a French National Agency in charge of France's space program. In partnership with the US and Russia, they have put 10 people in space. CNES works in tandem with the larger ESA to develop the Ariane 5 and work on other probes and satellites. They are working with Germany to develop a cheaper and more efficient reusable rocket, which hopefully will be ready to fly by 2026.
Founded
1961
Administrator
CEO: François Jacq
Total Launches
14
Successful
12
Failed
2
Pending
1
Consecutive Success
3