Emeraude (rocket)

Emeraude

Emeraude as the first stage of Saphir
Function	Sounding rocket
Manufacturer	SEREB
Country of origin	France
Size
Height	17.93 metres (58.8 ft)
Diameter	1.40 metres (4.6 ft)
Mass	18,200 kilograms (40,100 lb)
Stages	1
Associated rockets
Derivative work	Saphir (rocket)
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	CIEES
Total launches	5
Success(es)	2
Failure(s)	3
First flight	June 15, 1964
Last flight	May 13, 1965
First stage – Emeraude
Powered by	1 Vexin-B
Maximum thrust	273.7 kilonewtons (61,500 lbf)
Specific impulse	203 seconds
Burn time	91 seconds
Propellant	HNO3/gasoline turpentine
[edit on Wikidata]

VE 121 Émeraude (French for "emerald")^[1][2] was a large French sounding rocket of the 1960s.

It built on the experiences of the Véronique and Vesta programs, and though it was only used for one year, it tested important technologies that were used in later French launch vehicles. It was part of the pierres précieuses (fr.: gemstones) program, that included five prototypes Agathe, Topaze, Emeraude, Rubis and Saphir,^[3] leading up to the Diamant orbital rocket.

The rocket was liquid-fueled and carried 12.8 tonnes of fuel and oxidizer—nitric acid and gasoline turpentine—which were pressure-fed into the Vexin-B engine, providing a total of 301.55 kN of thrust.^[4]: 45 Pitch and yaw control were provided by gimbaling the engine while roll control was provided by aerodynamic fins. The rocket could carry a 385 kilograms (849 lb) payload to an altitude of 200 km.^[5]

Its codename, VE121, indicates that it is a "Véhicule Expérimental" (Experimental Vehicle) with 1 stage, using liquid propellant (code 2), and guided (code 1).