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Launch FailureNational Center of Space Research
Diamant B: Castor & Pollux
Dual French scientific satellites. Lost due to launch vehicle failure.
Monday, 21 May 1973
Mission Data
🇫🇷National Center of Space ResearchEst. 1961
Launch VehicleDiamant B
Vehicle FamilyDiamant
Vehicle Record3 of 5 launches (60%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record12 successes / 2 failures (86%)
Success Streak3 consecutive
Mission TypeEarth Science
Target OrbitLow Earth Orbit
Launch PadDiamant Launch Area
LocationGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana GUF
Orbital Launches This Year#32
Agency Launches This Year#1
Launches From This Pad8
Launches From This Site336
Status Note
Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.
About Diamant B
The Diamant rocket (Diamant is French for "diamond") was the first exclusively French expendable launch system and at the same time the first satellite launcher not built by either the United States or USSR. As such, it has been referred to as being a key predecessor for all subsequent European launcher projects.
Launch Site
Diamant Launch Area · 5.2222°N 52.7758°W
Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.