NASA. The US Air Force's THOR ABLE STAR missile lifts off from Cape Canaveral on August 18, 1960. On board, the "COURIER 1-A" satellite. In two and a half minutes, the THOR ABLE STAR missile will explode. It wasn't until the launch of the rocket on October 14, 1960, that the "COURIER 1-B" satellite made it into orbit. The "Courier 1B" was the first communications satellite capable of propagating terrestrial signals. Vintage silver print. Typed caption on back. 20.5x25.4cm with margins.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.