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From: dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: StarDate: November 26 The Third Nation in Space
Message-ID: <837@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Nov-84 02:00:22 EST
Article-I.D.: utastro.837
Posted: Mon Nov 26 02:00:22 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Nov-84 04:21:38 EST
Organization: UTexas Astronomy Dept., Austin, Texas
Lines: 36

France was the third country to successfully launch a satellite.  More
on European space efforts -- after this.

November 26  The Third Nation in Space

France became the world's third nation in space on today's date in the
year 1965.  A French Diamant rocket launched from Algeria successfully
placed the first French satellite in space.  The satellite transmitted
for only two days -- but its existence clearly broadcasted that other
nations were developing the technology needed for space exploration.

France continued launching spacecraft -- while taking part in space
research and development with other European countries.  These
co-operative efforts eventually evolved into the European Space Agency
-- established in 1975 by eleven nations -- with headquarters in
Paris.  The European Space Agency developed the Ariane rocket to carry
satellites into space -- both for its member nations and for paying
customers -- providing competition with NASA's shuttle program for
unmanned payload packages.

There have also been co-operative projects between the European Space
Agency and the United States.  Spacelab -- the large laboratory
facility designed to fit within the cargo bay of the U.S. shuttles --
was built by the European Space Agency.

Eight years after the Soviets and the United States launched their
first satellites, France also had the capability of launching
spacecraft.  Since then other nations have developed space technology
-- sometimes independently -- and sometimes as a result of co-operation
and the exchange of information.



Script by Diana Hadley.

(c) Copyright 1983, 1984 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin