CNES

CNES, short for Centre national d'études spatiales or in English: the National Centre for Space Studies, is the French governmental space agency. It was founded in 1961.

Notable Dates

 * October 18th, 1963: France launches the first cat into space, Félicette, she survives and returns safely to Earth.
 * November 26th, 1965: France’s first satellite, Astérix, is launched into space, on the first rocket of the Diamant launch system.
 * May 1970: The first launch of the Vedette rocket system. [Similar to OTL Ariane]
 * February 1971: France launches the first French man into space, Pierre J. du Bucq., through usage of the Vedette rocket system.
 * November 1971: France launches their second man into space, Jean-Loup Chretien., also via the Vedette rocket system.