BackForward Satellite Programme: Satellite de Taille Adaptée avec Réflecteurs Laser pour les Etudes de la Terre 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Constellation of 2 satellites for Solid Earth.
  • French programme: CNES responsible of development and operations.  
  • Passive satellites, no attitude control, no electronic devices, no communication with the ground; only reflecting surfaces.
  • The design life time of the satellites is many decades.
  • The satellites exploit drifting orbits with specifically coordinated inclinations.
  • See detailed descriptions at https://directory.eoportal.org/missions/starlette.
Data circulation
  • Satellites tracked by the network of about 65 stations of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS).
  • Several data analysis centres in France and other countries.
Agencies CNES
Programme lifetime 1975 - 2050
Associated satellites and instruments

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

  • Satellite de Taille Adaptée avec Réflecteurs Laser pour les Etudes de la Terre