Bérénice (rocket)

Berenice was the designation of a four-stage French experimental rocket, developed by O.N.E.R.A. (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches AérospatialesOffice National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales).

The twelve production rockets, Berenice 001 to Berenice 012, were tested from 1962 to 1966. The Berenice was 13.25 m long, possessed a diameter of 0.56 m and weighed 3340 kg at launch. The takeoff thrust of the Berenice, which could carry a payload of 3340 kg to a height of 1000 km, amounted to 170 kN. The first stage, a SEPR 739 Stromboli, was stabilised by four SEPR 167 rockets developing 34 kN. The second stage consisted of a SEPR 740, almost identical to the first stage. The third stage was a SEPR 200 Tramontane and the fourth stage comprised a Melanie rocket and payload.