Topaze (rocket)

VE111 Topaze is the name of a French sounding rocket. They had the same diameter as the VE110 Agate, but was shorter than those used and an energy-rich fuel. The rocket motor called Soleil worked with 1500 kg of fuel Isolan, an aluminum - ammonium perchlorate - polyurethane composite solid propellant. The manufacturer SEREB ( Société pour l' étude et la réalisation d' engins balistiques ) built Topaze was the first steerable French sounding rocket. The Topaze was started 1962-1965 14 times of Hammaguir.

It belonged to the French VE program ( Vehicle of Experimental ) for the development of air, silo or submarine -based intercontinental ballistic missiles, which included the VE8, VE9, VA10 Aigle, VE110 Agate, VE121 Emeraude, VE210 Rubis and the VE231 sapphire. These missiles were developed at the direction of de Gaulle from 1959, which was established in September 1959 SEREB company.

There were two versions of the Topaze:

Topaze VE111C (short)

Smaller initial model with NA802 - drive, which was used of 19 December 1962 to 15 December 1964.

  • Payload: 410 kg
  • Ceiling: 80 km
  • Off thrust: 120.00 kN
  • Take off weight: 2900 kg
  • Diameter: 0.80 m
  • Length: 7.07 m

Topaze VE111L ( long)

Extended version with longer burning NA803 - drive which was used of 21 December 1963 to 21 May 1965. The last two launched missiles possessed an inertial navigation guidance and were referred to as VE111LG.

  • Payload: 360 kg
  • Peak altitude: 110 km
  • Off thrust: 147.00 kN
  • Take off weight: 3434 kg
  • Diameter: 0.80 m
  • Length: 7.90 m
France Agate (rocket) Isopropylmethylpyrazolyl dimethylcarbamate Aigle (rocket) Rubis (rocket) Saphir (rocket) Charles de Gaulle
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