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Diamant BP.4

France

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Diamant BP.4
Diamant BP.4
Credit: © Mark Wade

In January 1972 a further evolution, the Diamant BP.4, was authorized. The second stage was replaced with the P4 Rita motor developed for the MSBS SLBM. The larger 1.38 m diameter fairing developed for the British Black Arrow launcher allowed larger payloads to be accommodated. Three launches of the BP.4 in 1975 completed the Diamant saga.

3 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Amethyste + 1 x Rita I + 1 x P068.

LEO Payload: 150 kg (330 lb). Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 9.000 million.

More at: Diamant BP.4.

Related

Country
France
Spacecraft
D, Starlette
Launch Sites
Kourou, Kourou Diamant
Stages
Diamant B-1, P4, P6
Agency
SEREB

Chronology

3 events

1975 February 6

16:35 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou Diamant. LV Family: Diamant. Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4.
  • Starlette - . Payload: Starlette (BETA). Mass: 47 kg (103 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: Starlette. USAF Sat Cat: 7646 . COSPAR: 1975-010A. Apogee: 1,108 km (688 mi). Perigee: 805 km (500 mi). Inclination: 49.80 deg. Period: 104.20 min. Geodesic satellite. .

1975 May 17

10:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou Diamant. LV Family: Diamant. Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4.
  • Pollux - . Payload: D-5A. Mass: 35 kg (77 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: D. Decay Date: 1975-08-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 7801 . COSPAR: 1975-039A. Apogee: 1,256 km (780 mi). Perigee: 299 km (185 mi). Inclination: 30.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.

    D5A: Weight 36 kg. Testing in space of a hydrazine catalytic decomposition micropropulsion unit. Responsible organization: Societe Europeene de Propulsion. D5B: Weight 76 kg. Testing in space of the CACTUS accelerometer (ultrasensitive triaxial capacitive accelerometric sensor). Responsible organization: ONERA, Chatillon-sous-Berneux, France.

  • Castor - . Payload: D-5B. Mass: 77 kg (169 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: D. Decay Date: 1979-02-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 7802 . COSPAR: 1975-039B. Apogee: 1,275 km (792 mi). Perigee: 277 km (172 mi). Inclination: 29.90 deg. Period: 100.30 min.

    D5A: Weight 36 kg. Testing in space of a hydrazine catalytic decomposition micropropulsion unit. Responsible organization: Societe Europeene de Propulsion. D5B: Weight 76 kg. Testing in space of the CACTUS accelerometer (ultrasensitive triaxial capacitive accelerometric sensor). Responsible organization: ONERA, Chatillon-sous-Berneux, France.

1975 September 27

08:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou Diamant. LV Family: Diamant. Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4.
  • Aura - . Payload: D-2. Mass: 115 kg (253 lb). Nation: France. Agency: CNES. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: D. Decay Date: 1982-09-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 8332 . COSPAR: 1975-092A. Apogee: 697 km (433 mi). Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Inclination: 37.10 deg. Period: 96.50 min.

    Solar UV radiation experiments. Study of solar and stellar ultraviolet radiation. 1. Spectral analysis of small and large sources located close to the plane of the ecliptic. Responsible organization: Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale, Traverse du Siphon, 13000- Marseille (France). 2. St udy of solar ultraviolet radiation and its absorption by the earth's atmosphere. Responsible organization: Laboratoire de Physique Stellaire et Planetaire, Meudon, France. Weight 106.6 kg.