| Ile du Levant |
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In October 1950 a military missile test site was established at the French naval base on the Ile du Levant, an offshore island in the Mediterranean near Toulon. This was named CERES (Special Weapons Research and Tests Center) in 1952 and replaced a beach site at Pampelone used for ad-hoc launches since 1948. In 1968 it was expanded to include the La Renardiere site on Pont ST Mandrier and renamed CEM (Mediterranean Test Center). La Renardiere had been used in 1945 for testing the first French liquid propelled rocket, the EA 41. Ile du Levant was known to have been used for at least 111 launches from 1956 to 1969, reaching up to 270 kilometers altitude. Launch Pads
General / Launch Complex Unknown Chronology 1956 May 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Monica I I Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1956 May 22 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Monica I I Campaign 6 to jun 13 test Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1957 January 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1957 February 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1957 May 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1957 May 28 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1959 January 27 - 17:00 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Daniel. Daniel 01 Test / aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 127 km (78 mi). 1959 May 2 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 001 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1959 October 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1959 October 1 - Launch Vehicle: Monica. Test mission Agency: ATEF. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1959 October 22 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 002 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1959 December 15 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 003 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 May 2 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 004 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 May 5 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 005 Date may be 19 May Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 September 26 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 006 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 September 30 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. OPd-56-39-22D 007 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 November 25 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. Antares 008 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1960 November 30 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. Antares 009 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1961 March 3 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. Antares 010 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1961 March 6 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. Antares 011 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1961 March 7 - Launch Vehicle: Antares. Antares 012 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1961 October 5 - Launch Vehicle: Daniel. Daniel 03 Test / aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1961 October 9 - Launch Vehicle: Daniel. Daniel 02 Test / aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 May 9 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B02 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1962 May 15 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B03 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1962 May 16 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B04 Test mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1962 May 18 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C10 Test mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 May 29 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C12 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 May 29 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B07 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1962 June 5 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C14 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 June 27 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 001 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1962 Q3 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 003 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1962 July 6 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 002 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1962 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 004 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1962 November 21 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B45 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1962 November 22 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B41 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1962 November 30 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C37 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 December 12 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C24 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1962 December 12 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C25 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1963 May 21 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C48 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1963 June 27 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 005 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1963 July 3 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 006 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1963 July 24 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B73 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1963 November 19 - Launch Vehicle: VE. Agate R FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1963 November 28 - Launch Vehicle: VE. Agate R Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). 1964 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 008 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1964 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 007 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1964 February 28 - Launch Vehicle: VE. Agate R Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). 1964 April 20 - Launch Vehicle: VE. Agate R Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). 1964 April 25 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 01 FAILURE: Failure. LEX-01 test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). 1964 October 1 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 009 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). 1964 October 1 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 010 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). 1964 October 29 - 23:18 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belier. ESRO C02 / 1 Aeronomy mission Agency: ESRO. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1964 November 5 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C64 TMA Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1964 November 6 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C71 TMA Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1964 November 10 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. LV Model: Belier I . Belier B69 Ozone Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1965 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 011 Re-entry Vehicle test Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1965 February 1 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Tir 1 test Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). First launch of prototype single-stage MD.620. 1965 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02/2 Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1965 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02/1 Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 68 km (42 mi). 1965 June 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02/3 Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1965 June 23 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C65 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1965 June 23 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C95 TMA Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1965 June 24 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C83 Sodium release Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1965 June 24 - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure C84 TMA Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). 1965 December 23 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1966 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1966 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1966 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1966 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Berenice 012 Titus test / solar mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). 1966 March 16 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Bietage test Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). First launch of two-stage version of MD.620. 1967? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967 - Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Gymnote 4 RSO Test Agency: DMA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). 1967 - Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Gymnote 4 RSO test Agency: DMA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). 1967 - Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Gymnote 3 test Agency: DMA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). 1967 April 1 - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. Weather mission Agency: SECT. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1967 April 19 - Launch Vehicle: MSBS. Gymnote 1 test Agency: DMA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi). 1967 May 8 - 15:47 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1967 May 9 - 17:57 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1967 May 11 - 11:47 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. FAILURE: Failure. Aeronomy mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1967 June 28 - Launch Vehicle: Stromboli. Dauphin DA002 FU-179 test Agency: CNES. Apogee: 138 km (85 mi). 1967 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02B/4 SECT Meteo Meteorological mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi). 1967 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02B/3 SECT Meteorological Meteorological mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi). 1967 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02B/2 Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). 1967 November 1 - Launch Vehicle: Lex. Lex 02B/1 Test mission Agency: ONERA. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi). 1967 November 23 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Tacite 002 FAILURE: Failure. FU-169 X-ray astronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1968? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968? - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Test mission Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968 - Launch Vehicle: Belisama. Weather mission Agency: SECT?. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1968 March 1 - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. Weather mission Agency: SECT. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968 March 1 - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. Weather mission Agency: SECT. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1968 March 6 - Launch Vehicle: Belisama. Epona 1 Weather mission Agency: CNES?. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi). 1968 March 12 - Launch Vehicle: Belisama. Weather mission Agency: SECT?. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1968 May 15 - 00:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Tacite TACITE 02 Earth infrared Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 175 km (108 mi). 1968 September 30 - Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Agency: Dassault. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Final test launch of Jericho/MD.620 from France. Full French military embargo of Israel took effect in January 1969 after an Israeli raid on Beirut in December 1968. 1968 October 15 - Launch Vehicle: Berenice. Tacite 004 Sun pointing test / solar mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). 1969 - Launch Vehicle: Belisama. Weather mission Agency: SECT?. Apogee: 90 km (55 mi). 1969 March 1 - Launch Vehicle: Belenos. Test mission Agency: SECT. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). 1969 July 10 - 12:31 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure 1 C81 CNES C81 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 109 km (67 mi). 1969 July 10 - 17:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: Belier. Centaure 1 C82 CNES C82 Aeronomy mission Agency: CNES. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). 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. |
