🇫🇷☢️ How does an M51 missile launch work? 🚀 The recent return of high-intensity conflict between nuclear powers makes it necessary to reappropriate the major concepts related to nuclear deterrence. While the political aspects are widely covered, the technical and operational ones are much less so, even though there is an extensive literature on the subject in English, but mainly dating back to the Cold War. In this new article, I explain the steps of a strategic missile launch from a submarine, such as the M51.3 launch that took place off the coast of Brittany on October 6th. Some lesser-known aspects are explored in detail, particularly regarding the reentry bodies — from the strategy of their deployment by the vector to their arrival on the target — all without compromising any of the weapon system's secrets (which I don't know anyway). To accompany the text, @CalvaireDrach created the magnificent infographic that we released on the day of the launch. This is part of a broader book project, which will primarily be aimed at newcomers to the professional world of this field — but not only — and which aims to fill an identified gap for this type of document. Please feel free to share your feedback and comments on this project, as well as any errors or questions about the text — since the subject combines several different technical and physical domains 🙏 Enjoy the read and have a great Sunday!