Hammaguir (also written Hamaguir and Hammaguira) () is a village in Abadla District, Béchar Province, Algeria, south-west of Béchar. It lies on the N50 national highway between Béchar and Tindouf. The location is notable for its role in French rocketry.
Hamaguir Airport is located there.
Role in French rocketry and spaceflight
Between 1947 and 1967 there was a rocket launch site, the Interarmy Special Vehicles Test Centre (abbreviated CIEES in French), near Hammaguir, used by France for launching sounding rockets and the satellite carrier "Diamant" between 1965 and 1967. The Diamant launch pad at Hammaguir is located at 30° 46′ 41″ N, 3° 3′ 14″ W. The CIEES facility was also used for testing surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.
The first French satellite Astérix was launched from there in 1965.
In honor of its role in the early development of French spaceflight, its name was given to a Martian crater in 1979 and to an asteroid crater in 2009.
Notable Launches
Date of launch Satellite Payload mass Support rocket References18 October 1963 Félicette (cat) 15 kg Véronique 26 November 1965 Astérix-1 40 kg Diamant 8 February 1967 Diadéme-1 22.7 kg Diamant 15 February 1967 Diadéme-2 22.7 kg Diamant
Climate
Hammaguir has a hot desert climate, with extremely hot summers and cool winters, and very little precipitation throughout the year.
References
Neighbouring towns and cities