Diamant family
Diamant B
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.
Flights flown5
Success rate60%3/5
Payload to LEO160kg
Maiden flight1970-03-10
Peak year19702 flights
Diamant B is built by Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques of France. It first flew on 10 March 1970 and last flew on 21 May 1973.
Flight record
60% success rate3 of 5 flown · 2 failed
1970peak 1970 · 2 flights1973
First flight1970-03-10
Latest flight1973-05-21
Failures2
Consecutive successes0
Fastest turnaround123d 20h
Payload
| Low Earth orbit | 160kg |
|---|
Vehicle
| Stages | 3 |
|---|---|
| Length | 23.5m |
| Diameter | 1.34m |
| Launch mass | 18t |
| Liftoff thrust | 396kN |
| Maiden flight | 1970-03-10 |
| Reusable | No |
Pads used
Orbits delivered
Low Earth Orbit4Polar Orbit1
Launch history
| Date | Mission | Pad | Orbit | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973-05-21 | Diamant B | Castor & Pollux | Diamant Launch Area | Low Earth Orbit | Failure |
| 1971-12-05 | Diamant B | Polaire | Diamant Launch Area | Polar Orbit | Failure |
| 1971-04-15 | Diamant B | Tournesol | Diamant Launch Area | Low Earth Orbit | Success |
| 1970-12-12 | Diamant B | Péole | Diamant Launch Area | Low Earth Orbit | Success |
| 1970-03-10 | Diamant B | Dial Wika | Diamant Launch Area | Low Earth Orbit | Success |
Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.
Further reading: Wikipedia