
Pollux (D-5A) [CNES]
The French Pollux (D5-A) satellite was launched as a piggyback of the Castor (D 5B). The external structure of the D5-A was an octahedron made up of two truncated tetrahedrons, eight facets of which were covered with solar cells. The D5-A carried a hydrazine propulsion system that was tested in space.
| Nation: | France |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Science |
| Operator: | CNES |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | hydrazine propulsion system |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 38 kg |
| Orbit: | 299 km × 1258 km, 30° |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pollux (D 5A) | 1973-F02 | 21.05.1973 | Ko ALD | F | Diamant-B | with Castor (D 5B) |
| Pollux (D 5A) | 1975-039A | 17.05.1975 | Ko ALD | Diamant-BP4 | with Castor (D 5B) |
