Veronique home
topic index
Veronique 61
Credit - via Jean-Jacques Serra
Sounding rocket. Country: France. Status: Retired 1975. Manufacturer's Designation: Project 4213.

After the cancellation of the 'Super V-2' project, the German team at Vernon pursued development of a tenth-scale version, the Project 4213 Veronique (VERnon et electrONIQUE). The 4 tonne thrust motor, using nitric acid and kerosene, beat the 'pure French' project 4211 Eole design and paved the way leading to the Ariane space booster.

Development of the Veronique began in March 1949, with the primary objective of providing a flight test vehicle for liquid rocket engine development. A secondary objective was to launch scientific payloads to high altitudes. The simple vehicle would be wire-guided at launch via four 55 m cables attached to the fins. Following partial systems tests with several vehicles in 1951 to 1952, the first full-scale Veronique-N was launched in May 1952 to April 1953 in three test series. A knotty combustion instability problem led to many failures, and the design altitude of 65 km was found by French scientists to be insufficient for their studies. The French National Defense Scientific Action Committee had ordered the manufacturing of 15 Veroniques for the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year, but these were cancelled and replaced by the solid-propellant Monica rocket.

After a nine-year development program the much larger Veronique-61 emerged as the final version of the rocket.

Manufacturer: LRBA. Launches: 100. Failures: 52. Success Rate: 48.00%. First Launch Date: 1950-08-02. Last Launch Date: 1975-05-31. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Total Mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 7.30 m (23.90 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique. Gross Mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Empty Mass: 278 kg (612 lb). Motor: 1 x Veronique. Thrust (vac): 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Burn time: 45 sec. Length: 7.30 m (23.90 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Turpentine.
Version:

Veronique P2. Sounding test vehicle.

Test vehicle, powered by two powder rockets, to test the Veronique's unique wire guidance system.

Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 1951-04-01. Last Launch Date: 1951-04-01. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 20.000 kN (4,496 lbf). Total Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Boost Propulsion: Solid.

Version:

Veronique P6. Sounding test vehicle.

Test vehicle, powered by six powder rockets, to test the Veronique's unique wire guidance system.

Launches: 2. First Launch Date: 1952-01-25. Last Launch Date: 1952-01-28. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 20.000 kN (4,496 lbf). Total Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Boost Propulsion: Solid.

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique P6-1. Gross Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Motor: 1 x Vero P6. Thrust (vac): 20.000 kN (4,496 lbf). Length: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Veronique R. Sounding test vehicle.

'Veronique Reduce' - test vehicle for the full-size Veronique, with the burn time of the engine limted to 6.5 sec instead of the nominal 32 sec. Tested in France at the Suippes range in 1950 and 1951, then at Cardonnet in early 1952.

Launches: 8. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1950-08-02. Last Launch Date: 1952-01-30. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Total Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/kerosene.

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique R-1. Gross Mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Empty Mass: 385 kg (848 lb). Motor: 1 x Veronique. Thrust (vac): 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Burn time: 6.50 sec. Length: 5.80 m (19.00 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version:

Veronique N.

'Veronique Normal ' - Full-scale version of the original Veronique design.

Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Apogee: 65 km (40 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Total Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 6.50 m (21.30 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/kerosene. Version:

Veronique NA.

Lengthened version of the Veronique N, allowing the vehicle to reach the more scientifically-interesting altitude of 135 km. It also used a modified injector for the engine to improve combustion stability.

Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Total Mass: 1,435 kg (3,163 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 7.30 m (23.90 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/kerosene. Version:

Veronique AGI.

The Veronique AGI was the rocket originally intended for the International Geophysical Year order. It followed the configuration of the Veronique NA, but had a lower empty weight, a simplified engine using single wall cooling, and used turpentine fuel instead of kerosene. This increased the specific impulse, decreased combustion instabilities, and allowed the version to reach 210 km altitude.

Launches: 9. Failures: 9. First Launch Date: 1965-10-22. Last Launch Date: 1969-02-20. Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Total Mass: 1,342 kg (2,958 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 7.10 m (23.20 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/turpentine.

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique AGI. Gross Mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Empty Mass: 278 kg (612 lb). Motor: 1 x Veronique AGI. Thrust (vac): 40.000 kN (8,992 lbf). Burn time: 49 sec. Length: 7.30 m (23.90 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Turpentine.
Version:

Veronique 61.

Development of an improved version of Veronique, with a 50% increase in thrust, began in 1961. The much larger vehicle could reach 315 km with the standard Veronique 60 kg payload.

Launches: 6. Failures: 4. First Launch Date: 1964-06-08. Last Launch Date: 1967-02-24. Payload: 60 kg (132 lb). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 60.000 kN (13,488 lbf). Total Mass: 1,932 kg (4,259 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 9.50 m (31.10 ft).

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique 61. Gross Mass: 1,900 kg (4,100 lb). Motor: 1 x Veronique 61. Thrust (vac): 60.000 kN (13,488 lbf). Burn time: 54 sec. Length: 9.50 m (31.10 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Turpentine.
Version:

Veronique 61M.

Lengthened version of Veronique 61 capable of carrying an increased payload of 100 kg.

Launches: 15. Failures: 13. First Launch Date: 1966-03-24. Last Launch Date: 1975-05-31. Payload: 100 kg (220 lb). Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 60.000 kN (13,488 lbf). Total Mass: 2,050 kg (4,510 lb). Core Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Total Length: 11.70 m (38.30 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/turpentine.

  • Stage1: 1 x Veronique 61M. Gross Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Motor: 1 x Veronique 61. Thrust (vac): 60.000 kN (13,488 lbf). Burn time: 56 sec. Length: 11.70 m (38.30 ft). Diameter: 0.55 m (1.80 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Turpentine.
Version:

Vesta.

In the late 1950's LRBA studied several possible configurations for a 'Super Veronique' sounding rocket, with engines of 80 to 250 kN to carry a payload of 100 kg up to 600 km altitude. In 1962 CNES ordered the Vesta configuration. Static tests in 1964 led to a modest series of launches in 1965-1969.

Launches: 5. First Launch Date: 1965-10-15. Last Launch Date: 1969-11-08. Payload: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 140.000 kN (31,470 lbf). Total Mass: 5,700 kg (12,500 lb). Core Diameter: 1.00 m (3.20 ft). Total Length: 10.20 m (33.40 ft). Boost Propulsion: Nitric acid/turpentine.

  • Stage1: 1 x Vesta-1. Gross Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Empty Mass: 780 kg (1,710 lb). Motor: 1 x Vesta. Thrust (vac): 140.000 kN (31,470 lbf). Burn time: 56 sec. Length: 7.20 m (23.60 ft). Diameter: 1.00 m (3.20 ft). Propellants: Nitic acid/Turpentine.
Veronique Chronology

1950 August 2 - Camp de Suippes -. Veronique R R1 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

1950 August 4 - Camp de Suippes -. Veronique R R2 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1951 April 1 - Vernon -. Veronique P2 P2 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1951 October 2 - Camp de Suippes -. Veronique R R3 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1951 October 5 - Camp de Suippes -. Veronique R R4 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

1951 October 6 - Camp de Suippes -. Veronique R R5 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).

1952 January 25 - Le Cardonnet -. Veronique P6 P6-1 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 January 26 - Le Cardonnet -. Veronique R R7 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 January 28 - Le Cardonnet -. Veronique P6 P6-2 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 January 28 - Le Cardonnet -. Veronique R R6 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 January 30 - Le Cardonnet -. Veronique R R8 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 May 20 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N1 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 19 km (11 mi).

1952 May 21 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N2 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

1952 May 22 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N3 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

1952 November 8 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N4 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1952 November 9 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N5 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 November 13 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N7 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi).

1952 November 16 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N6 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).

1952 November 17 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N9 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1952 November 18 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N8 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1953 April 18 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N11 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1953 April 21 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique N10 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 45 km (27 mi).

1954 February 20 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique NA15 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi).

1954 February 21 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique NA14 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi).

1954 October 17 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique NA13 FAILURE: Failure. Test / ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 39 km (24 mi).

1954 October 29 - Hammaguira Bechar. Veronique NA12 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi).

1959 March 7 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI18 FAILURE: Failure. Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1959 March 10 - 18:40 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI17 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi).

1959 March 12 - 05:44 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI16 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 174 km (108 mi).

1960 February 23 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI23 FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1960 March 2 - 18:32 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI22 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi).

1960 March 5 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI21 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi).

1960 June 13 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI20 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 176 km (109 mi).

1960 June 16 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI19 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

1960 June 18 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI25 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1960 June 22 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI26 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1961 February 11 - 10:41 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI27 Airglow Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 91 km (56 mi).

1961 February 13 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI28 FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1961 February 15 - 22:01 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI29 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1961 February 18 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI30 FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).

1961 February 22 - 07:00 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI24 Life Science mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). French Veronique launched capsule containing rat (Hector) to 152 km altitude, recovered successfully.

1961 June 10 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI31 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1962 May 24 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI39 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 168 km (104 mi).

1962 May 31 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI38 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1962 June 1 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI41 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1962 June 4 - Reggane -. Veronique AGI42 FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1962 June 6 - Reggane -. Veronique AGI43 Aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

1962 October 15 - 08:39 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI37 Bio (Rat) Life science mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1962 October 18 - 08:31 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI36 Bio (Rat) Life science mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

1962 October 19 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI44 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi).

1962 October 22 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI46 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 120 km (70 mi).

1962 October 23 - 11:01 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI32 Airglow Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). Diffuse solar radiation mission.

1962 October 29 - 23:21 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI34 Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi).

1963 April 20 - 10:01 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI35 Airglow Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi).

1963 April 23 - 22:07 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI49 Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

1963 May 1 - 16:59 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI45 Aeronomy /ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1963 May 10 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI48 Coronagraph Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). No recovery. Solar corona (UV) / Ptr mission.

1963 June 18 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI33 FAILURE: Failure. Ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi).

1963 June 19 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI40 FAILURE: Failure. Ionosphere mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 38 km (23 mi).

1963 October 18 - 07:09 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI47 Bio (Cat) Life science mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 155 km (96 mi).

1963 October 24 - 05:30 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI50 FAILURE: Failure. Bio (Cat) Life science mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi).

1964 April 14 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI51 Solar La Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi). FU110 Atomic H (Ly-alpha), Solar X-rays mission.

1964 June 8 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA75 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 260 km (160 mi).

1964 June 13 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA76 Test mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 260 km (160 mi).

1964 November 4 - 16:35 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI53 Solar La Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). FU110 Atomic H (Ly-alpha), Solar X-rays mission.

1964 November 8 - 08:22 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI52 Ultraviolet Spectrum / CU point Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi). FU111 UV Solar Astronomy / Ptr mission.

1965 February 12 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI56 Solar mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 95 km (59 mi).

1965 May 27 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA79 FU-144 Lyra alpha Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi). FU144 Atomic H (Ly-alpha) mission.

1965 October 15 - Hammaguira Blandine. Vesta 001 FU-123 test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

1965 October 22 - 20:18 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI/V54 FU-115 Electron density Ionosphere mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU115 Electron density mission.

1965 October 25 - Hammaguira Blandine. Vesta 002 FU-123 test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 105 km (65 mi).

1965 October 28 - 06:55 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI/V55 FU-115 electron density Ionosphere mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU115 Electron density mission.

1966 March 24 - 17:02 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA80 FU-155 test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 209 km (129 mi).

1966 April 4 - 08:07 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA78 FU-145 ACS test / astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). FU145 Technology (Attitude control) mission.

1966 April 6 - 15:30 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI/57 FU-126 Solar corona Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). FU126 Solar corona (UV) / Ptr mission.

1966 June 27 - 17:05 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI/60 FU-154 recovery test Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi). FU154 Technology (recovery) mission.

1966 October 3 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA77 FU-145 ionosphere Magnetosphere / ionosphere / astronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 166 km (103 mi). FU145 Technology + Ionosphere / Stab mission.

1966 November 24 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA82 FU-158 Recovery test Agency: FR. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). FU158 Technology (recovery) mission.

1966 December 9 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI 59 FU-149 ionosphere / mass spectrometer Ionosphere / aeronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi). FU149 Ion Density, mass spectrometry mission.

1967 January 11 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA84 FU-161 Astronomy X-ray astronomy / ultraviolet astronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 158 km (98 mi). FU161 X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission.

1967 January 13 - 10:00 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI 63 FU-160 Solar corona Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi). FU160 Solar corona (UV) / Ptr mission.

1967 January 17 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA85 FU-145B astronomy Test / ultraviolet astronomy mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 205 km (127 mi). FU145b X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission.

1967 February 24 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61 VA81 FU-176 Recovery test Agency: FR. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). FU176 Technology (recovery) mission.

1967 March 7 - 09:42 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Vesta 004 FU-147 Biological mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 243 km (150 mi).

1967 March 13 - 09:30 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Vesta 005 FU-147 Biological (Macaca) Biological mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 234 km (145 mi).

1967 March 17 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique AGI AGI 64 FU-174 Solar corona Solar ultraviolet mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). FU174 Solar corona (UV) / Ptr mission.

1967 March 24 - 05:55 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA86 FU-156 ionosphere / biology Ionosphere / plasma / biology mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). FU156 Ionosphere + Biology mission.

1967 March 29 - 06:25 GMT - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA87 FU-156 ionosphere / biology Ionosphere / plasma mission Agency: FR. Apogee: 306 km (190 mi). FU156 Ionosphere + Biology mission.

1967 April 4 - Hammaguira Blandine. Veronique 61M VA88 FU-178 PUV-3 Ultraviolet astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 196 km (121 mi). FU178 X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission.

1968 April 9 - Kourou ALFS. Veronique AGI AGI 62 FU-184 Sea recovery test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). FU184 Technology (sea recovery) mission.

1968 July 25 - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/89 FU-185 X-ray astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). No recovery. FU185 Technology + X-ray astronomy / Stab mission.

1968 December 18 - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/83 FU-159 PERSEE? Ultraviolet astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 162 km (100 mi). No recovery. FU159 UV astronomy / Stab mission.

1968 December 22 - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/90 FU-159 Crab Nebula X-rays Ultraviolet astronomy / x-ray astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi). No recovery. FU159 X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission.

1969 February 20 - 11:48 GMT - Kourou ALFS. Veronique AGI AGI 61 FAILURE: Failure, premature fairing jettison. FU-170 CIRCE Ionosphere mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). FU170 CIRCE, Mass spectrometry mission.

1969 November 8 - Kourou ALFS. Vesta 006 FU-189 Star pt test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi).

1971 June 8 - 19:46 GMT - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/93 GESAIR Biological/Geophysics mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU194 GESAIR, Ionosphere + Biology mission.

1971 June 12 - 19:44 GMT - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/94 GESAIR Biological/Geophysics mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU194 GESAIR, Ionosphere + Biology mission.

1971 December 16 - 19:57 GMT - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/92 FU-208 CISASPE Ionosphere mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 227 km (141 mi). FU208 CISASPE, Ionosphere (active sounding) mission.

1973 April 17 - 10:30 GMT - Kourou ALFS. Veronique 61M 61M/95 FU-200 Solar ultraviolet Solar extreme ultraviolet mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). FU200 3SUV, UV solar astronomy / Ptr mission.

1975 May 31 - Kourou ALFS. FAUST Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 172 km (106 mi). FU216 FAUST, UV astronomy / Stab mission.

Bibliography:
Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.