Kourou, 5 November 1971: the eleventh test launch of geostationary satellites Europa 2 is a failure. The rocket crashed into the sea, causing the disintegration of the European consensus in the race to space. The British and the Germans decide to rely on the goodwill of the American big brother. Only France and Belgium were fighting for survival launchers.24 December 1979: The first Ariane soars in the same place and doing a perfect flight, putting Europe in the race! What happened in between?
Jean-Pierre Morin, actor - and above all - of this extraordinary human adventure, tells how truculence pitfalls policies have been leveled by men who refused, in France and Europe to submit to American hegemony. What technical challenges have been identified over the months of twists in surprising show of strength at the point of success in influencing the course of history.
Today, thanks to Arianespace, Ariane launches in the world more than half of the geostationary satellites placed in orbit each year. To his credit, end 2008: 177 successful flights, 272 satellites, thanks to its system - single - double launch. What pretentious fool could have predicted this in 1972?
A true story of the first order, a story that lifts the veil on the wings of our area. [Translated via Google.]
posted 05-07-2009 08:37 AM
advertisement