May 17 1975
From The Space Library
France launched two satellites, Castor and Pollux, on a single Diamant BP-4 booster from Kourou, French Guiana. It was the first time France had orbited two satellites on a single booster. Castor entered orbit with a 1269-km apogee, 273-km perigee, 100.3-min period; and 30° inclination; Pollux entered orbit with a 1283-km apogee, 270-km perigee, 100.4-min period, and 30° inclination. The press reported that Castor carried an accelerometer to measure changes in the earth's atmosphere for a 5-to-6-yr period. Pollux carried a micrometer for experiments in satellite propulsion. (GSFC Wkly SSR, 15-21 May 75; SF, Nov 75, 406; Agence France-Presse, Today, 18 May 75)
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