Diamant A

The Diamant A was the first version of the French Diamant launch vehicle, operational between 1965 and 1967. Like the later versions it had three stages and could place about 150 kilograms into a 200 kilometre orbit. Its first stage, 9.92 metres long and 1.34 metres in diameter, weighed 14.7 tonnes and used a Vexin B nitric acid and turpentine engine that supplied 274 kilonewtons of thrust for 93 seconds. The second stage was the Topaze, with four solid propellant engines, and the third stage had a P064 solid-propellant engine. Fully assembled the rocket stood 18.95 metres high and weighed 18.4 tonnes. Its maiden flight on 26 November 1965 put the first French satellite, Astérix, into orbit, and all of its first four launches were at least partly successful.