When did France launch its first satellite Astérix?
France launched its first satellite named Astérix on the 26th of November 1965 using a Diamant rocket. The satellite operated for two consecutive days before transmission ceased.
Questions about French space program
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where is the primary French spaceport located and why was it chosen?
The primary French spaceport is located in Kourou, French Guiana and was selected as the main site in 1964. This location sits just 5.3 degrees north of the equator allowing rockets to gain additional propulsion from Earth's rotation when launching eastward.
Who founded the Centre national d'études spatiales CNES and when was it established?
President Charles de Gaulle signed the establishment of the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) in 1961 to coordinate all French space activities. The organization emerged under Pierre Auger's supervision following the creation of the Comité d'études spatiales in 1959.
What role does France play within the European Space Agency ESA?
France drove the creation of the European Space Agency in 1973 becoming its first contributor with substantial financial backing. The French space budget reached €2.33 billion in recent years making it the largest among ESA members despite stagnation since early 2000s in constant euros.
When did CNES launch the BepiColombo mission toward Mercury?
CNES and JAXA launched BepiColombo toward Mercury on the 20th of October 2018 studying magnetic fields and mapping surfaces. This mission follows other joint efforts such as the InSight Mars mission which launched on the 5th of May 2018.