The Diamant rocket (diamant is French for "diamond") was the first exclusively French expendable launch system. (The French were later heavily involved in European launchers projects). It launched the first French satellite named Astérix on November 26, 1965. Of 12 launches between 1965 and 1975, 9 were successful. Despite the success of the program France stopped its national launcher programs to devote entirely to the European Ariane launcher in 1975.
