History of the Development of Solid Rocket Propellant in France

Abstract

The real development of solid rocket propellents in France started in 1946 for tactical missiles applications mostly based on cast or extruded double-base propellants. The decision by General de Gaulle at the beginning of the 1960s to develop an independent Strategic Force based on ballistic missiles had a tremendous effect on the research, development, and production level of activity in the field with a strong effort on composite and high-energy propellants. The results of these efforts were applied to three generations of strategic systems, many tactical missiles, and to space boosters like DIAMANT, the first French satellite launcher (1965), or European launchers like Ariane V, which will fly in 1995. This article describes the evolution of the main propellant families and their applications during this period of 50 years.