The
Diamant rocket (
diamant is
French for "diamond") was the first exclusively
French expendable launch system.
(The French were later heavily involved in
European launchers projects).
It launched the first French satellite named Astérix on
November 26,
1965.
Of 12 launches between 1965 and
1975, 9 were successful.
Despite the success of the program France stopped its national launcher programs to devote entirely to the European
Ariane launcher in 1975.
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