BackForward Satellite Programme: GeoForschungsZentrum-1 Geodesy Satellite 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Single satellite programme specific devoted to Solid Earth.
  • German programme, defined, developed and exploited by the GFZ in Potsdam.
  • Passive satellites, no attitude control, no electronic devices, no communication with the ground; only reflecting surfaces.
  • The design life time of the satellites is 5 years.
  • The satellite was placed in orbit from the MIR station, and exploited a low-altitude drifting orbits very sensitive to anomalies of the gravity field, also followed during the slow re-entry phase.
  • See detailed descriptions at https://directory.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/g/gfz-1
Data circulation
  • Data processed and made available by the GeoForschungsZentrum-1 of Potsdam
Agencies DLR
Programme lifetime 1995 - 1999
Associated satellites and instruments

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

  • GeoForschungsZentrum-1 Geodesy Satellite