Astérix
Astérix, the A1 satellite, was France's first satellite: a Matra-built technology capsule launched by the first Diamant A from Hammaguir. Its purpose was to verify the launcher's ability to place a satellite into orbit.
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Identity
- Aliases
- A1Asterix1965-096A1965-096-A
- Name
- Astérix
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Astérix, the A1 satellite, was France's first satellite: a Matra-built technology capsule launched by the first Diamant A from Hammaguir. Its purpose was to verify the launcher's ability to place a satellite into orbit.
- Destination
- Earth orbit for validation of the Diamant A launch vehicle's satellite-insertion capability
- Outcome
- Successful. Astérix reached orbit on 26 November 1965 and demonstrated Diamant A's orbital-insertion capability, making France the third nation to place a satellite in orbit independently. A fairing-separation incident damaged the antennas and left the satellite unable to transmit, but it did not prevent the launch and orbital milestone from succeeding.
- Programs
- -
- Start Date
- 1965-11-26
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- September 7, 2026 at 22:34:14 UTC
- Updated Time
- September 7, 2026 at 22:34:14 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- -
- Search Name
- Astérix A1 Asterix 1965-096A 1965-096-A
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles