Emeraude (rocket)

The VE 121 Emeraude (Emerald) was a large French sounding rocket of the 1960s and one of the five prototypes of the Pierres precieuses (gemstones) programme that led up to the Diamant orbital launcher. It built on the experience of the earlier Veronique and Vesta rockets and, although it flew for only one year, it tested important technologies used in later French launch vehicles. The rocket was liquid fuelled and carried 12.8 tonnes of nitric acid oxidiser and gasoline-turpentine fuel, pressure-fed into the Vexin-B engine, which gave a total thrust of about 301.55 kilonewtons. The engine was gimballed for pitch and yaw control, while aerodynamic fins controlled roll. The rocket could lift a 385 kilogram payload to an altitude of about 200 kilometres. Its code VE 121 marks an experimental vehicle with one stage, liquid propellant and guidance.