Starlette
Diamant BP4
National Center of Space Research
Mission
Starlette
- Type: Earth Science
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
Passive French satellite dedicated to geodetic and geophysical studies
Location
Diamant Launch Area
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Diamant Launch Area has witnessed the launch of 8 rockets, including 8 orbital launch attempts, while Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, has been the site for 321 rocket launches.
Rocket
Société d’étude et de réalisation d’engins balistiques Diamant BP4
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.
Agency
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.
