Official name A-1 (ASTERIX)
Alternative name Asterix (A 1)
Cospar ID 1965-096A
Norad ID 1778
Launch date 1965-11-26
Launch site HGSTR
Launch vehicle Diamant-A
Country/Organization France
Type application Technology
Operator CNES
RCS size MEDIUM
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 106.8
Inclination (deg) 34.26
Perigee (km) 522
Apogee (km) 1634
Eccentricity 0.515769944341373
Mean motion (revs. per day) 13.4831460674157
Semi-Major axis (km) 7456.135
Raan (deg) 348.9987
Arg of perigee (deg) 175.1582
Shape Poly
Mass (kg) 39.64
Height (m) 0.53
Width (m) 0.55
Depth (m) 0.55
Span (m^2) 0.55
Contractors CNES
Equipment Transmitter
Propulsion None
Power Batteries

Asterix or A-1 was the first french satellite.

The main purpose was evaluation of the Diamant-A launch vehicle, but the on board transmitter was to be used for ionospheric measurements (failed due to the short operational time of the transmitter).

Two prototypes were launched on suborbital Rubis rockets befor the orbital attempt was made.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
A-1 (ASTERIX) 1965-096A 1965-11-26 HGSTR Diamant-A