It was a three-stage rocket, and was mostly used to place DFH-2-class communications satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbits.

The third stage failed 4 s after restart for GTO insertion of the satellite, due to incorrect mixture ratio in the engine gas generator, which caused high temperatures and burned out the turbine casing.

However, many planned tests on the experimental communications spacecraft were still carried out in the resulting elliptical orbit.

Loss of pressure in the high-pressure helium supply used for engine control had reduced the propellant flow.

The third-stage engine shut down roughly 40 s earlier than planned because of a fire in the LH2 injector of the gas generator.