The three-stage Diamant rocket was the mainstay of the French national space program from 1965 until 1975 (see space programs,
national). The earliest version was Diamant A, which stood 18.9 m (62 ft) tall, weighed 18.4 metric tons (20.2 tons), and was capable of placing a 79.4-kg (175-lb)
payload into a 300-km (186-mi) equatorial orbit. The first stage gave a thrust of some 294,000 newtons (30,000 kg/66,000 lb) for 93 seconds. The second and third stages had solid propellants. Rockets were
launched from Hammaguir in the Sahara.Diamant B was launched from the then-new space center at Kourou, French Guiana. A new liquid-fueled first stage increased the payload capability to 115.2 kg (254 lb). Diamant BP4 again increased the orbital payload to 200 kg (441 lb). The first had a thrust of 343,000-392,000 newtons (35,000-40,000 kg/77,000-88,000 lb). Stage 2 had a solid propellant motor from the French ballistic program, and stage 3 used the same motor as Diamant B.