Tournesol

1971-30A

The D-2A satellite was the first of the true Diamant B class payloads. Its mission was to study the geocorona, the diffuse cloud of hydrogen and helium surrounding the Earth. It was launched on 1971 Apr 15 into a 46 degree inclination orbit; the satellite was named Tournesol (Sunflower) after its bright yellow paint scheme. CNES operated the satellite from its COBY (Centre d'Operations de Bretigny) control center south of Paris.


Tournesol 
 

DateTimeEventOrbit  

1971 Apr 15   0919:37   Launch by Diamant B   CSG  
    96.2 457 x 697 x 46.4 
1980 Jan 28   Reentered 

Payload: