 Emeraude as the first stage of Saphir | |
| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SEREB |
| Country of origin | France |
| Size | |
| Height | 17.93 metres (58.8 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.40 metres (4.6 ft) |
| Mass | 18,200 kilograms (40,100 lb) |
| Stages | 1 |
| Associated rockets | |
| Derivative work | Saphir (rocket) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | CIEES |
| Total launches | 5 |
| Success(es) | 2 |
| Failure | 3 |
| First flight | June 15, 1964 |
| Last flight | May 13, 1965 |
| First stage – Emeraude | |
| Powered by | 1 Vexin-B |
| Maximum thrust | 273.7 kilonewtons (61,500 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 203 seconds |
| Burn time | 91 seconds |
| Propellant | HNO3/gasolineturpentine |
VE 121 Émeraude (French for "emerald")[1][2] was a large Frenchsounding rocket of the 1960s.
It built on the experiences of theVéronique andVesta programs, and though it was only used for one year, it tested important technologies that were used in later French launch vehicles. It was part of thepierres précieuses (fr.: gemstones) program, that included five prototypesAgathe,Topaze,Emeraude,Rubis andSaphir,[3] leading up to theDiamant orbital rocket.
The rocket was liquid-fueled and carried 12.8 tonnes of fuel and oxidizer—nitric acid and gasolineturpentine—which were pressure-fed into the Vexin-B engine, providing a total of 301.55kN of thrust.[4]: 45 Pitch and yaw control were provided bygimbaling the engine while roll control was provided by aerodynamic fins. The rocket could carry a 385 kilograms (849 lb) payload to an altitude of 200 km.[5]
Its codename, VE121, indicates that it is a "VéhiculeExpérimental" (Experimental Vehicle) with1 stage, using liquid propellant (code2), and guided (code1).
Emeraude was launched exclusively from theCentre interarmées d'essais d'engins spéciaux (CIEES) launch site inHammaguir,Algeria (Hammaguira Brigitte pad).[5]
The first launches of Emeraude – on June 15, June 17, and October 20, 1964 – were failures, casting doubt on the entirepierres précieuses program. These three launches had failed because of propellant sloshing due topogo oscillation, a problem that was fixed before the fourth launch.[4]: 44 However, the final two launches – on February 27 and May 13, 1965 – went well, with the latter flight reaching an altitude of 180 km.
The final test carried adummy Topaze stage for testing the aerodynamics of Emeraude's successor, the Saphir.[5]
| Date | Launch Complex | Mission Description | Apogee (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 June 15 | Hammaguira Brigitte | Test mission, failure | 0 km |
| 1964 June 17 | Hammaguira Brigitte | Test mission, failure | 0 km |
| 1964 Oct 20 | Hammaguira Brigitte | Test mission, failure | 0 km |
| 1965 Feb 27 | Hammaguira Brigitte | Test mission | 200 km |
| 1965 May 13 | Hammaguira Brigitte | Test mission | 200 km |