Saphir

Pierres Précieuses (Precious Stones) series

Mission Profile

The Saphir (Pierres Précieuses series) was a two-stage French sounding rocket in the Emeraude family, the final and most capable vehicle in the Pierres Précieuses (Precious Stones) series of test vehicles that led to the Diamant orbital launcher. Standing 14.8 m tall with a 0.8 m diameter, the Saphir combined the Emeraude first stage with a new second stage. First flying in July 1965 under the Pierres Précieuses programme, the Saphir demonstrated the staging technology that enabled France's successful Diamant orbital launches later that same year.