Early European spaceflight history, manned and unmanned, about 1950-1975

[Blackhorse]

Thanks for that, and for the very detailed link with "Diamant" info.

You are welcome. Capcomespace is a very good website.

https://www-capcomespace-net.translate.goog/dossiers/index.htm?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr

https://www-capcomespace-net.translate.goog/dossiers/espace_europeen/ariane/index.htm?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr&_x_tr_sch=http

There is another one, much bigger, that has tons of stuff on ELDO, ESRO, CNES and Europa. A real treasure trove, albeit a little messy to browse.

There it is. https://aventure--des--fusees--europa-blog4ever-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr

Take General Robert Aubinière. He successfully handled CNES and Diamant in the 1960's, then by 1970 he was tasked to try and rescue Europa 2 and eventually, Europa 3 - at a time when Ariane (L3S)  became the real deal.

In spring 1972 Aubinière's ELDO was still trying to make Europa 2 work for the Symphonie satellites (F12 and beyond was canned only in April 1973) -  while struggling to define its successor: between Germany which wanted Europa 3B and the french going for Europa L3S, same first stage but different upper stages. Europa 3 itself being part of a package that included Spacelab with its own NASA fixed deadline : August 15, 1973 - or bust. 

Complicated times !

[Blackhorse]

Well now both ELDO reference websites are linked here with online translation. There is really a lot of interesting stuff in both sites.

[leovinus]

A quick note that those with interest in "Early European spaceflight history" could have a chat with the archives of the Deutsche Museum in Munich. I wrote a few more details and contacts over here.