Launch vehicles in Europe - From Diamant to Ariane
Abstract
The employment of Ariane to place a test satellite in earth orbit on December 24, 1979, does not represent the first success of a Eureopan launch vehicle. Already 15 years earlier, the French as the first Europeans had succeeded in placing a small earth satellite into orbit with the aid of a French launch vehicle of the type Diamant. This event took place eight years after the launching of the first Russian earth satellite. A satellite launching with an English rocket occurred in 1971. The European Launcher Development Organization was founded in 1964. Members of this organization include Australia, Belgium, West Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK. The Ariane family is discussed, taking into account Ariane 1, 2, 3, and 4. Economical aspects concerning Ariane are also investigated.
- Publication:
-
Astronautik
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982Asnau..19...45F
- Keywords:
-
- Ariane Launch Vehicle;
- Diamant Launch Vehicle;
- Earth Orbits;
- European Space Programs;
- Spacecraft Launching;
- Economic Factors;
- International Cooperation;
- Rocket Engine Design;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles