French Early Rocket Experiments (1920–1945)

1. Barré begins private liquid-rocket work with REP

   Jan 1, 1927Labels: Jean-Jacques Barr, Esnault-Pelterie, Private lab

   • Eole origins
   • Barr bio

2. Esnault-Pelterie popularizes rocket-based spaceflight ideas

   Jun 8, 1927Labels: Robert Esnault-Pelterie, Astronautics talk

   • SAF Astronautique
   • Britannica REP

3. REP and Hirsch propose an astronautics prize

   Dec 26, 1927Labels: Esnault-Pelterie, Andr -Louis, Astronautics prize

   • Prix Astronautique
   • REP Hirsch

4. First REP-Hirsch (astronautics) prize awarded

   Jan 1, 1929Labels: Soci t, REP-Hirsch prize

   • Prix Astronautique
   • Prix German

5. French War Department funds ballistic-missile study

   Jan 1, 1930Labels: French War, Ballistic study

   • REP article
   • Monash REP

6. Barré joins REP labs; propulsion experiments intensify

   Jan 1, 1931Labels: Jean-Jacques Barr, REP laboratories

   • Monash REP
   • REP article

7. REP loses fingers in propulsion test accident

   Oct 1, 1931Labels: Esnault-Pelterie, Propulsion accident

   • Monash REP
   • REP article

8. French armaments directorate is created (DFA)

   Apr 29, 1933Labels: Direction des, Armaments directorate

   • DEFA page

9. Barré receives War Ministry contract for rockets

   Jan 1, 1935Labels: Jean-Jacques Barr, War Ministry

   • Eole origins
   • Barr bio

10. Work focuses on “obus-fusée” anti-aircraft concept

    Sep 1, 1939Labels: Obus-fus e, Anti-aircraft rocket

    • EA 41 page
    • Eole origins

11. EA-41 liquid-propellant rocket development starts

    Jul 1, 1941Labels: EA-41, Vichy France

    • EA 41 page
    • Air Space EA

12. Secret EA-41 static engine tests begin

    Nov 15, 1941Labels: EA-41, Static tests

    • EA 41 page
    • Barr bio

13. EA-41 tests halt under wartime disruption

    Sep 1, 1942Labels: EA-41, Wartime disruption

    • EA 41 page
    • Barr bio

14. First EA-41 flight attempt after Liberation

    Mar 15, 1945Labels: EA-41, Renardi re

    • Air Space EA
    • EA 41 page

15. EA-41 achieves partial success on later 1945 test

    Jul 6, 1945Labels: EA-41, Flight test

    • Air Space EA
    • EA 41 page