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Azur, Aeros, and
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Azur, Aeros, and
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This page contains philatelic information on the Azur, Aeros, and Dial-Wika/Mika satellites. Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the satellites featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the authors using the e-mail addresses at the bottom of this page.
Azur, also known as German Research Satellite (GRS), should not be confused with the USAF Geophysical Research Satellite (GRS) from 1963, which goes by the same acronym.
| Launch information (found elsewhere) |
Launch covers (including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers) (farther below) |
Other postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.) (immediately below) |
|---|---|---|
| Azur / GRS (West Germany) | Azur / GRS (West Germany) | Azur / GRS (West Germany) |
| Aeros (West Germany) | Aeros (West Germany) | Aeros (West Germany) |
| Dial-Wika/Mika (France-Germany) | Dial-Wika/Mika (France-Germany) | Dial-Wika/Mika (France-Germany) |
Below is a list of Azur / GRS, Aeros, and Dial-Wika/Mika postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.).
| Country | Catalog Number | Type of Item | Year of Issue | Notes on Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azur / GRS (West Germany) | ||||
| French Guiana | None | (At upper-left of) (Verein für Weltraum-Philatelie e.V. München) cachet on cover | 1979 | "Azur" |
| Germany (West) | None | (At upper-left of) cachet on cover | 1966 | (early-design) Azur, project name "625-A1" |
| Germany (West) | None | (At upper-left of) cachet (same) on cover (different) | 1966 | (early-design) Azur, project name "625-A1" |
| Germany (West) | None | (At upper-right of blue) cachet on stamped envelope | 1968 | "Azur" |
| Germany (West) | None | (At upper-right of orange) cachet on cover | 1968 | "Azur" |
| Germany (West) | None | (MBB) cachet on cover | 1972 | "Azur" (in cachet text) |
| Aeros (West Germany) | ||||
| Czechoslovakia | 2026 (Mi2280) | 1975 | Aeros (the two Aeros satellites were joint missions of the German Bundesministerium für Bildung und Wissenschaft and NASA; the Soviet Union and India were not involved, despite the text in the stamp) | |
| French Guiana | None | (At middle-right of) (Verein für Weltraum-Philatelie e.V. München) cachet on cover | 1979 | "Aeros" |
| Germany (West) | None | (Printed) cachet on cover | 1974 | "Aeros-B" |
| Germany (West) | None | (DFVLR mission patch) cachet on (un-stamped and un-canceled) cover | ~1975 | "Aeros-B" |
| Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika (France-Germany) | ||||
| France | 1270 (Mi1705) i1270 | Imperforate | 1970 | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch (based on cachet in fdc1 and text in the card), but small satellite in stamp resembles Vanguard-21 (not Dial-Wika)2; (The Diamant-B3 launch rocket is depicted in this cancel, which is found in several of the FDCs. The cachets in all the FDCs as well as the maxicards also show it. Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika were the first satellites launched by the Diamant-B3 rocket) |
| France | 1270 fdc1 | Stamp and (Éditions J.F.) cachet on FDC | ||
| France | 1270 fdc2 | Stamp and (Éditions J.F.) cachet (different) on FDC | ||
| France | 1270 fdc3 | Stamp and (Éditions PAC) cachet on FDC (machine cancel) | ||
| France | 1270 fdc4 | Stamp and (Éditions PAC) cachet on FDC (hand cancel) | ||
| France | 1270 fdc5 | Stamp and (PJ no.715) cachet on FDC (hand cancel) | ||
| France | 1270 fdc6 | Stamp and (PJ no.715) cachet on FDC (machine cancel) | ||
| France | 1270 card | Stamp and (Éditions CEF) cachet on FDOI card | ||
| France | 1270 maxi | Maxicard | ||
| France | 1270 maxi2 | Maxicard (different) | ||
| France | 1270 maxi3 | Maxicard (Éditions CEF), also back | ||
| France | 1270 maxi4 | Maxicard (Éditions J.F.) | ||
| Germany (West) | None | (MBB) cachet on cover | 1972 | "Dial" (in cachet text) |
| Ossetia Republic | Local (200 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 45204, from strip of 5, also overprint template | 1994 | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket |
| Ossetia Republic | Local (200 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 57324, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ossetia Republic | Local (200 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 57334, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ossetia Republic | Local (200 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 59844, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ossetia Republic | Local (1050 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 45204, from strip of 5, also overprint template | 1994 | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket |
| Ossetia Republic | Local (1050 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 57324, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ossetia Republic | Local (1050 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 57334, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ossetia Republic | Local (1050 value) | Ras Al Khaima Mi450 on Russia 59844, from strip of 5, also overprint template | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438A Mi438B | From strip of 3 (Mi438A+444A+450A) From imperforate strip of 3 (Mi438B+444B+450B) | 1970 | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi444A Mi444B | "Dial-Wika" | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi450A Mi450B | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438A+444A+450A_strip3+BLE95A fdc | Strip of 3 on FDC | (As above) | |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438 ds1 | Deluxe sheet (Mi438) (blue-grey) | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket | |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438 ds2 | Deluxe sheet (Mi438) (white) | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi444 ds1 | Deluxe sheet (Mi444) (grey/green) | "Dial-Wika" | |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi444 ds2 | Deluxe sheet (Mi444) (white) | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi450 ds1 | Deluxe sheet (Mi450) (grey/green) | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch; Diamant-B3 rocket | |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi450 ds2 | Deluxe sheet (Mi450) (white) | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438_ds1+444_ds1+450_ds1 fdc | 3 deluxe sheets (grey/green) on FDC | (As above) | |
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi438_ds2+444_ds2+450_ds2 fdc | 3 deluxe sheets (white) on FDC | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi_I451A Mi_I451B | Mi444A silver foil Mi444B silver foil | "Dial-Wika" | |
| Ras Al Khaima | BL_I95 | Imperforate deluxe sheet, silver foil | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi_J451A Mi_J451B | Mi444A gold foil Mi444B gold foil | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | BL_J95 | Imperforate deluxe sheet, gold foil | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi_I451A+Mi_I451B+BL_I95 fdc | Silver and imperforate silver and silver deluxe sheet on FDC | ||
| Ras Al Khaima | Mi_J451A+Mi_J451B+BL_J95 fdc | Gold and imperforate gold and gold deluxe sheet on FDC | ||
1"like-Vanguard-2" items have the appearance of Vanguard-2, but the images of the satellite are quite small.
2Not Dial-Wika as intended, based on FDC.
3Diamant-B rockets were used to launch the Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika satellites.
4See here for a list of engraved/lithographed Russian definitive pairs known to exist with satellite overprints.
Below is a list of Azur / GRS, Aeros, and Dial-Wika/Mika launch covers (including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers).
| Country | Cancel Date | Cancel Location | Type of Item | Notes on Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969-11-07: Azur / GRS (West Germany) | ||||
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Orbit Covers) cachet on cover | Azur launch |
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 front and insert2 back | Azur launch |
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB | (SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 front and insert2 back | Azur launch |
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Vandy?/DuBeau? red and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Azur launch |
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB | (Centennial) cachet on cover | Azur launch |
| United States | 1969-11-07 | Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB | (Centennial) cachet (and signature) on cover | Azur launch |
| Aeros (West Germany) | ||||
| 1972-12-16: Aeros-1 | ||||
| Germany (West) | 1972-12-16 | Wessling Oberbay | (Pictorial) cancel on postal card | Aeros-1 launch |
| Germany (West) | 1972-12-16 | Wessling Oberbay | (Pictorial) cancel and (black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-1 launch |
| Germany (West) | 1972-12-16 | Wessling Oberbay | (Pictorial) cancel and (black rubber-stamp and black printed) cachets on postal card | Aeros-1 launch |
| United States | 1972-12-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insert | Aeros-1 launch |
| United States | 1972-12-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-1 launch |
| United States | 1972-12-16 | Greenbelt MD | (GSFC Stamp Club) cachet on cover | Aeros-1 launch |
| United States | 1972-12-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Centennial) cachet on cover | Aeros-1 launch |
| United States | 1972-12-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Riser/Andromeda/Cygnus Cover no.42) cachet on cover | Aeros-1 launch |
| 1974-07-16: Aeros-2 | ||||
| Germany (West) | 1974-07-16 | Wessling-Oberbay | (DFVLR rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Space Voyage) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Greenbelt MD | (GSFC Stamp Club) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Centennial) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (DuBeau? black and red rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Greenbelt MD; USPS, MD | (GSFC violet rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Orbit Covers) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch (Explorer-51/54/55 depicted) |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Vandenberg AFB, CA | (Printed) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch (futuristic depiction) |
| United States | 1974-07-16 | Rosman NC | (Purple rubber-stamp) cachet on cover | Aeros-2 launch |
| 1970-03-10: Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika (France-Germany) | ||||
| French Guiana | 1970-03-10 | Kourou | (Le Burin d'Or) cachet on cover | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch |
| French Guiana | 1970-03-10 | Kourou | (Lollini red-brown) cachet on cover | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch |
| French Guiana | 1970-03-10 | Kourou | (Lollini brown) cachet on cover (cancel different color) | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch |
| French Guiana | 1970-03-10 | Kourou (text cancel) | (Lollini) cachet on cover | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch |
| French Guiana | 1970-03-10 | Kourou | (Lollini) cachet (different) on cover | Dial-Wika and Dial-Mika launch |
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