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Launch detail
National Center of Space Research • Diamant BP4 • Diamant Launch Area (NA)
National Center of Space Research • Diamant BP4 • Diamant Launch Area
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Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.
Passive French satellite dedicated to geodetic and geophysical studies
Open the launch pad in Google Maps satellite mode using the pad coordinates.
Passive French satellite dedicated to geodetic and geophysical studies
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.
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.
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