The Diamant B was an improved version of the Diamant A with a more powerful first stage. It could place a 190 kilogram payload into a 200 kilometre orbit inclined at 5 degrees, a 25 kilogram payload into a 1,000 kilometre orbit, or a 130 kilogram payload into low polar orbit. Its Améthyste first stage was 14.2 metres long and 1.4 metres in diameter, weighed 20 tonnes and used an LRBA Valois engine burning N2O4 and UDMH, developing 315 kilonewtons of thrust for 116 seconds. The second stage was a Topaze P-2.2 with one P4 solid propellant engine of 150 kilonewtons. Fully assembled it stood 23.5 metres high and weighed 26.9 tonnes. The first Diamant B was fired on 10 March 1970 and carried the DIAL/MIKA and DIAL/WIKA scientific satellites, only one of which survived the launch.
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Source Diamant (rocket) (Wikipedia)Lead, body styleQuote, Lead, body style
was the first exclusively French expendable launch system
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1. Encyclopedia Astronautica: Diamant B
Encyclopedia AstronauticaDescriptionQuote, Description
As a follow-on to the Diamant-A, CNES decided to evolve a more capable launch vehicle.
2. Diamant (rocket) (Wikipedia)
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On 10 March 1970, the first Diamant B rocket, an improved model of the launcher, was fired
Lead, body style
was the first exclusively French expendable launch system
Lead, engine class
Its LRBA Valois N2O4/UDMH engine developed a thrust of 315 kN for 116 seconds.
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