Biscarosse
Biscarosse
Credit - © Mark Wade
Type: Suborbital Launch Site. Operator: France. Country: France. Latitude: 44°27' N. Longitude: 1°15' W.

In April 1962 France signed the final agreements with Algeria, requiring them to evacuate their rocket test ranged there by July 1967. Three months later a site on French soil on the Bay of Biscay, at Landes, near Biscarosse, was selected. The site would allow the testing of missiles over the Atlantic out to a range of 3000 km. This would put the RV impact area near the Azores, and a tracking station was opened in October 1966 on Flores island. This was supplemented by a tracking ship (the Henri Poincare, operational from March 1968 to 1991, and then the Monge).

The site became operational for short-range missile tests in March 1964. The first test of a prototypes of the SSBS strategic missile began on 15 February, 1966. Tests of the MSBS SLBM and Pluton tactical nuclear missile began in 1968. Tests of the Hades tactical missile began in 1988.

Launch Pads
Biscarosse Chronology and Launch Log
  • 1965 June 15 - Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Launch Vehicle: Tacite. Tacite 001 Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

  • 1966 February 15 - Silo 1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S112 2603 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1966 June 7 - Silo 2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S112 2604 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1966 November 10 - Silo 3 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S112 2605 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1967 March 2 - Silo 4 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S112 2606 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1967 July 5 12:28 - Rubis 04 Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Rubis. Rubis R10 Apogee: 1,600 km (900 mi). Radio-astronomy experiment; measured the MHz range radio background

  • 1967 July 25 - S01V-1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1967 October 25 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Cora. Vehicle failed due to incorrect wiring.. Cora G3 Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

  • 1967 November 10 - S01V-2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).

  • 1968 - A2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M012 A2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968? - V3 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V3 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968? - V2 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V2 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 - B2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M012 B2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 - B1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M012 B1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 January 13 - A1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M012 A1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 January 23 - S01V-3 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 February 14 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon D-32 Apogee: 440 km (270 mi).

  • 1968 March 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Dauphin. Dauphin DA003 Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

  • 1968 March 18 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Failure. Belier III 301

  • 1968 March 28 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Dauphin. Dauphin DA004 Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

  • 1968 April 9 - S01V-4 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 July 3 - S01V-5 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 July 23 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-301 Apogee: 562 km (349 mi).

  • 1968 July 26 - S01V-6 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 October 8 - S01C-1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 November 9 - S01C-2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S01 LC: BLB. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 November 16 - V1 Vecteur operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V1 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1968 December 21 - S02V-1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 V1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969? - V5 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V5 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1969? - V6 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V6 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1969? - V4 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V4 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1969 February 6 23:30 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 2B D-256 Apogee: 430 km (260 mi).

  • 1969 February 6 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 2B D-258 Apogee: 430 km (260 mi).

  • 1969 February 7 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 2B D-257 Apogee: 430 km (260 mi).

  • 1969 February 7 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 2B D-259 Apogee: 430 km (260 mi).

  • 1969 April 23 - S02V-2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 V2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969 May 27 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-303 Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

  • 1969 May 30 - S02V-3 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 V3 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969 June 24 - S02V-4 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 V4 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969 July 25 - S02C-1 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969 September 25 - CRAPEL/ELECTRE re-entry vehicle test flight Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier III B307 Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

  • 1969 October 13 - S02C-2 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1969 November 18 13:34 - Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-304 Apogee: 475 km (295 mi).

  • 1969 December 10 - S02C3 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C3 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1970? - V7 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 V7 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1970? - C3 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C3 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1970? - C4 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C4 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1970? - C2 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C2 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1970 April 20 - S02C4 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C4 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1970 June 11 - C1 Charge (RV) operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C1 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1970 September 24 - S02C5 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C5 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1970 October 6 10:50 - EIDI-1 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-305 Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

  • 1970 October 22 08:23 - EIDI-2 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-306 Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

  • 1970 November 10 - S02C6 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 C6 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1971? - C6 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C6 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971? - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971? - C5 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C5 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971 - C8 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C8 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971? - C7 operational test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M013 C7 Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971 February 23 - ELECTRE Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Launch Vehicle: Tibere. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).

  • 1971 May 29 1000? 10:00 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971 June 26 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1971 December 16 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 S-1E-2601 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1972? - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).

  • 1972 March 18 - ELECTRE Re-entry Vehicle Test mission Launch Vehicle: Tibere. Apogee: 159 km (98 mi).

  • 1972 October 10 14:00 - DLR C-FFK-45 Test mission Launch Vehicle: Forschungsflugkorper. Failure. Forschungsflugkorper 1

  • 1972 October 24 15:00 - DLR C-FFK-46 Test mission Launch Vehicle: Forschungsflugkorper. Failure. Forschungsflugkorper 2

  • 1973 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1973? - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1973 February 14 - S02C 2601 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 2601 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1973 February 17 23:57 - EIDI-3 Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 Apogee: 460 km (280 mi).

  • 1973 March 15 - S02C 2602 Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S02 2602 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1973 July 20 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. LC: BLB. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1973 September 18 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2602 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1974 January 30 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2603 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1974 May 7 13:00 - DLR C-FFK-47 Test mission Launch Vehicle: Forschungsflugkorper. Forschungsflugkorper 3 Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

  • 1974 June 12 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M20 LC: BLB. Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1974 June 18 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2604 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1975 June 24 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2605 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1976 April 7 - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M20 Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1976 June 1 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2606 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1976 December 3 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1977 March 16 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S2 S-1E-2607 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1977 April 14 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1977 June 30 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V3 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1977 November 17 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V4 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1978 April 5 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V5 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1978 June 20 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V6 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1978 December 2 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V7 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1979 March 20 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 V8 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1979 Jul - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M20 Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1979 July 16 - Qualification Test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 TS-2601 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1980? - Operational Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M20 Apogee: 600 km (370 mi).

  • 1980 November 28 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 1 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1980 December 10 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2601 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1981 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 4 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1981 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Failure. MSBS M4 3 LC: BLB.

  • 1981? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 5 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1981? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 2 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1981 June 3 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2602 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1982? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 7 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1982? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1982? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 6 LC: BLB. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1982? - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1982 March 10 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 8 Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1982 May 25 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2603 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1982 June 26 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2605 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1983 June 25 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2606 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1983 July 12 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1983 October 4 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2604 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1983 November 23 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 13 Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1984 February 22 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M4 14 Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1984 July 12 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1986 February 10 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2607 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1986 Mar - Long range test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 1987 June 10 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2608 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1988 November 22 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Hades. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1989 March 8 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Hades. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1989 May 31 - Site CE Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant VC Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

  • 1989 June 18 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 2609 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1990 February 20 04:54 - Dyana Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. Nike Orion DLR C-NO-175 Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

  • 1990 March 6 05:18 - Dyana Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. Nike Orion DLR C-NO-176 Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

  • 1990 March 13 04:21 - Dyana Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. Nike Orion DLR C-NO-177 Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

  • 1990 July 12 - Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant VC Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

  • 1990 October 15 - Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant VC Apogee: 250 km (150 mi).

  • 1991 June 24 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 26010 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1992 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Hades. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

  • 1992 December 9 - VERT Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant 9CM1 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1993 May 26 09:43 - Aerospatial Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Nike Orion. Nike Orion DLR C-NO-202 Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

  • 1993 July 27 - BLANC Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant 9CM1 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1993 November 3 - Operational test mission Launch Vehicle: SSBS. SSBS S3 26011 LC: BLB. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi).

  • 1994 March 1 - NOIR Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Black Brant 9CM1 Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

  • 1995 February 14 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: MSBS M4. MSBS M45 1 Apogee: 800 km (490 mi).

  • 2006 November 9 08:51 - M51 test launch Launch Vehicle: MSBS. MSBS M51 s/n 1 Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Test

  • 2007 June 21 - M51 SLBM test Launch Vehicle: MSBS. M51

Bibliography and Further Reading
  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
  
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