Diamant BP4 (Société d’étude et de réalisation d’engins balistiques)
The Diamant BP4 is a non-reusable, inactive launch vehicle manufactured by Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques (established in 1959). It undertook its inaugural launch on 02/06/1975.
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.
Diamant BP4 Specifications
| Variant | BP4 |
|---|---|
| Length | 21.6 m |
| Diameter | 1.34 m |
| Stages | 3 |
| Launch Mass | 18 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 396 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 160 kg |
Diamant BP4 Launch Record
| Total Launches | 3 |
|---|---|
| Successful Launches | 3 |
| Consecutive Successful Launches | 3 |
Manufacturer
Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques or SÉREB was a French aviation company. It was created initially to develop two-stage ballistic missiles for nuclear weapons (Force de dissuasion nucléaire française). CNES was formed in 1961, which took over much development of civilian research.