NATIONAL CENTER OF SPACE RESEARCH
Diamant B | Castor & Pollux
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May 21, 1973 at 08:47 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
Dual French scientific satellites. Lost due to launch vehicle failure.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Diamant BMISSION
Castor & Pollux
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Diamant Launch AreaLAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
FRA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 1abc0ed7-c195-4896-8955-475ac5c1b207
Reported date: May 21, 1973 at 08:47 UTC
Last synced: 17 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Diamant B →
MANUFACTURER
Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques
VARIANT
B
FLIGHTS
5
SUCCESSES
3
SUCCESS RATE
60%
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Diamant B | Castor & Pollux launch?
The Diamant B | Castor & Pollux is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 1973 at 8:47 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Castor & Pollux?
The Diamant B | Castor & Pollux mission uses the Diamant B rocket, manufactured by Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques. The Diamant B has flown 5 times with a 60% success rate.
Where is the Diamant B | Castor & Pollux launching from?
The launch takes place from Diamant Launch Area at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Castor & Pollux going to?
The Castor & Pollux mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Castor & Pollux?
The Diamant B | Castor & Pollux is operated by National Center of Space Research.
Can I watch the Diamant B | Castor & Pollux launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch date set: May 21, 1973 at 08:47 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Center of Space Research
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 17 minutes ago
●Launch Library 217 minutes ago
Launch ID: 1abc0ed7-c195-4896-8955-475ac5c1b207
●Open-Meteo Weather2 weeks ago
Pad weather at 5.22, -52.78
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Mission Profile
Castor & Pollux was a Diamant B mission operated by National Center of Space Research that lifted off from Diamant Launch Area, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on May 21, 1973. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch ended in failure.