Launch of the Diamant Rocket

Designed and engraved by the prominent artist Albert Decaris (with layout by Durrens), this historical airmail (Poste Aérienne) issue captures the pivotal lift-off sequence of France's pathfinding Diamant Rocket (Fusée Diamant) piercing an atmospheric exhaust plume. The highly detailed technical composition features the three-stage launcher ascending vertically from the Hammaguir launch pad, flanked by a cylindrical tracking telemetry tower on the left and the open structural framework of the main gantry crane assembly on the right. Historically, this 1965 release commemorates France's breakthrough entry as the world's third space power to achieve independent orbital launch capability. By archiving this geopolitical milestone via the Comoros postal network, the territorial administration celebrated a monumental leap in French aerospace engineering, ballistic rocketry, and international scientific prestige.