Saphir VE231
Program · France
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Jean-Jacques Serra
Saphir was the penultimate step in the 'precious stones' series. The variants of the two-stage vehicle were designed to allow testing of radio-controlled guidance (VE231P), inertial guidance (VE231G), and warhead separation and re-entry of an ablative RV (VE231R). Addition of a third stage would transform Saphir into the Diamant satellite launcher.
2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Emeraude + 1 x Topaze.
Payload: 365 kg (804 lb) to a 1000 km altitude.
Related
- Family
- orbital launch vehicle
- Country
- France
- Launch Sites
- Hammaguira, Hammaguira Brigitte
- Agency
- SEREB