The backup D-2A satellite was prepared for a mission to obtain complementary measurements from a 75 degree polar orbit. The satellite, referred to as D-2A Polaire, carried the same experiments as Tournesol plus one new one to measure the distribution of hydrogen and helium in the geocorona. Minutes after launch on 1971 Dec 5 from Kourou, the second stage of the Diamant B failed and the payload was lost. [3] As far as I can determine, 'Polaire' is strictly speaking an adjective applied to the D-2A name and not the name of the satellite in its own right.
| D-2A Polaire | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 Dec 5 | Launch by Diamant B | CSG ELD | |
| Stage 2 failed | |||