The Dauphin is a French sounding rocket, flown six times between 1967 and 1979.[2][3] It consists of a modification of the first stage of the Dragon with a larger payload nosecone.
The Dauphin has a diameter of 56 centimetres, a launch weight of 1.132 metric tons, a length of 6.21 metres, a takeoff thrust of 90 kN and a ceiling of 150 kilometres.
The first launch occurred on March 20, 1967 from Hammaguira and was a failure.[3] The three next flights, from Ile du Levant and Biscarosse were successful.[3]
On September 14, 1971, a Dauphin rocket was first launched from Kourou, conducting the PHARE (FU-196) Aeronomy mission.[5][3] A final launch happened on February 8, 1979 to test the Ariane launch range.[3]
↑ Jung, Philippe (2003-09-29). "History of Dauphin & Eridan Sounding Rockets". 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law. International Astronautical Congress (IAF). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.IAC-03-IAA.2.3.05.
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