Aigle (rocket)

The Aigle (French for eagle) was an experimental French rocket launched several times between 1960 and 1964 from the CIEES range at Hammaguir in Algeria. Two versions were developed, the VE 10 and the VE 10A. The VE 10 was fin-stabilised and powered by a Stromboli SEPR 737 motor holding 984 kilograms of Plastolite solid propellant. With a diameter of 55 centimetres it could lift a 360 kilogram payload to an altitude of up to 6 kilometres, and it was launched four times between 1960 and 1961. The VE 10A used an updated version of the Stromboli booster and was launched twice, between 1963 and 1964. When an extra booster was added, the Aigle became the Eridan rocket, so it is an early member of the family of French solid-propellant sounding rockets.