Saphir (rocket)
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| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SEREB |
| Country of origin | France |
| Size | |
| Height | 17.77 metres (58.3 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in) |
| Mass | 18,058 kilograms (39,811 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Pierres Précieuses |
| Derivative work | Diamant |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Hammaguira |
| Total launches | 15 |
| Success(es) | 13 |
| Failure(s) | 2 |
| First flight | 5 July 1965 |
| Last flight | 27 January 1967 |
| First stage – Emaraude | |
| Powered by | 4 Vexin-B |
| Maximum thrust | 301.55 kilonewtons (67,790 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 251 seconds |
| Burn time | 93 seconds |
| Propellant | N2O4/UDMH |
| Second stage – Topaze | |
| Maximum thrust | 120 kilonewtons (27,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 255 seconds |
| Burn time | 39 seconds |
| Propellant | N2O4/UDMH |
Saphir (French, meaning sapphire) was a French sounding rocket. The Saphir was used between 1965 and 1967 and had a payload capacity of 365 kilograms (805 lb). The rocket could reach a maximum altitude of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi), produced thrust of 280 kilonewtons (63,000 lbf) at launch. The Saphir had a launch mass of 18,058 kilograms (39,811 lb), a diameter of 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in) and a length of 17.77 metres (58.3 ft).
The Diamant rocket, which carried the first French satellite into orbit, was developed from the Saphir with the addition of a third stage.
References
- astronautix.com - The Saphir rocket
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