BackForward Satellite Programme: Diadéme 

Programme details
Programme description
  • System of two satellites for laser ranging.
  • French programme: CNES responsible of design, development and operations.
  • Platform stabilised by exploiting the Earth's magnetic field. .
  • Design lifetime: several decades.
  • Elliptical drifting orbits, height 500-1700 km, inclination around 40°.
  • The two satellites were launched at one-week time distance.
  • For more details, see http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/satellite_missions/past_missions/di1c_general.html.
Data circulation
  • Satellite positioning provided by means of dual-frequency Doppler transmitters.
  • Data managed within the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS)
Agencies CNES
Programme lifetime 1967 - 2050
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned