CNES Diamant B Castor & Pollux
Diamant B
Status
Failure
Date
21 MAY 1973
08:47
Launch Provider
National Center of Space Research
Launch Pad
Diamant Launch Area
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Mission Overview
Dual French scientific satellites. Lost due to launch vehicle failure.
Rocket
Diamant B
Mission Type
Earth Science
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit
Stages
3
Livestream
Not availableRocket Details
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.
Height
23.5 m
Diameter
1.34 m
Launch Mass
18 T
Thrust
396 kN
