Marked Germany's Entry Into The Satellite Club
This year has already marked 50 years since the first landing on the Moon and 50 years since Airbus was founded. Now there is another 50th anniversary on the horizon: 50 years ago, Germany was elevated to the status of a spacefaring nation following the successful launch of Azur, its first research satellite. On November 8, 1969 at 2:52 am (CET), a Scout launch vehicle lifted off from Vandenberg, California, USA, carrying Azur into space. In doing so, Germany joined the club of nations that had placed their own satellites in orbit.