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Diamant B | Tournesol

SUCCESSApr 15, 1971 at 09:19 UTCDiamant B →
PADDiamant Launch Area
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEAstrophysics

French satellite designed to detect the presence of hydrogen in several directions of the celestial sphere.

VEHICLE
Diamant B
MISSION
Tournesol
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
COUNTRY
FRA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: d6cc6817-411a-4802-9a29-1f43e7011ba8
Reported date: Apr 15, 1971 at 09:19 UTC
Last synced: 11 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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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.

When is the Diamant B | Tournesol launch?
The Diamant B | Tournesol is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 1971 at 9:19 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Tournesol?
The Diamant B | Tournesol 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 | Tournesol launching from?
The launch takes place from Diamant Launch Area at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Tournesol going to?
The Tournesol mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Tournesol?
The Diamant B | Tournesol is operated by National Center of Space Research.
Can I watch the Diamant B | Tournesol 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.
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: Apr 15, 1971 at 09:19 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Center of Space Research
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 11 hours ago
Launch Library 211 hours ago
Launch ID: d6cc6817-411a-4802-9a29-1f43e7011ba8
Open-Meteo Weather11 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.22, -52.78