Peole

 1970-109A

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The Peole (Preliminaire Eole) satellite was a prototype of the Eole weather satellite. The satellite carried the Eole transponders as well as a gravity gradient stabilization system, geodetic laser retroreflectors, and experimental solar cells. Peole was launched on 1970 Dec 12, but the orbit reached was lower than planned.

Mass was 57 kg (70 kg per RAE and TRW, 55 kg per SFLT).

The gravity boom deployed prematurely when the rotation speed was still too high, and the satellite ended up oriented upside down. The satellite was successfully flipped on Dec 31 and the mast used to reduce oscillation amplitude.

Peole
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1970 Dec 12	1304:44	Launch by Diamant B	CSG ELD
	1306:43	T+1:59 Amethyste MECO
	1306:44?	Stage 1 sep
	1306:44?	St 2 burn for 40s
	1307:23?	T+2:39 St 2 burnout
	1225?	St 2 sep
	1311?	T+6:53? St 3 burn 46s
	1311?	T+7:39? St 3 burnout at 741 km?
	1312?	Peole sep	97.2 517 x 747 x 15.0
	1315?	Yo-yo despin
1980 Jun 16		Reentered

Payload:

• Gravity gradient stabilization system with 10m long mast, 3 kg end mass

• Eole transmitters

• Laser reflectors (44)