1966-013A
The third French satellite was the first of the Diamant series proper (A-1 being just a test capsule). D-1A, named Diapason (`waveband') after launch, carried a Doppler beacon transmitter for geodetic measurements. The 19 kg satellite was reported to be still operating a year after launch. It was built by MATRA for CNES. D-1 was a cylinder 0.50m dia 0.20m high plus 4 solar panels spanning about 1.0m and angled downward, with 4 aerials on the top of the satellite giving a total height of order 1.5m. D-1A was spin-stabilized at 30 rpm after yo-yo despin.
| Diapason | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 Feb 17 | 0833:36 | Launch by Diamant A | HMG Brigitte |
| 0835:09 | T+93s Emeraude MECO | ||
| 0835:09 | Emeraude sep | ||
| 0835:09 | T+1:33 Topaze burn 43s | ||
| 0835:55? | T+2:16? Topaze burnout | -5830 x 550 x 34.2 | |
| 0836:05? | T+2:26? Fairing sep | ||
| Coast | |||
| 0838:30? | T+4:54? Topaze sep | ||
| 0840:55? | T+7:19? Rubis burn 45s | ||
| 0841:40? | T+8:04? Rubis burnout | ||
| 0841:40 | Orbit insertion | 118.51 499 x 2738 x 34.0 | |
| Yo-yo despin | |||
| 0846 | Rubis sep | ||
| 1967 Feb | Still operating | ||
| 1972 Jan 23 | End of operations | ||
