dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (11/26/84)
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
td@alice.UUCP (Tom Duff) (11/28/84)
While France was the third nation to launch a satellite of their own, they were not the third nation into space. The Canadian Alouette communication satellite, which was launched by NASA for the Canadian government, predates the French effort. Surely the significance that the referenced article ascribes to the French (``[it] clearly broadcasted that other nations were developing the technology needed for space exploration'') belongs to Alouette. Also, Alouette operated for a lot longer than 2 days.