'Satellite of suitable size with laser reflectors for studies of the earth') and Stella are nearly identical French geodetic and geophysical satellites.

Starlette's development dates back to at least 1972, when scientists at the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) were trying to determine a payload for the upcoming first flight of the new Diamant BP4 rocket.

[4] After consulting with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, CNES scientists decided to create a small geodetic satellite optimized for tracking by laser ranging.

[6] Starlette and Stella are nearly identical, small spherical spacecraft measuring 24 centimetres (9.4 in) in diameter.

[3] This high-density spherical design reduced the drag effect of aerobraking on the satellites as they exited Earth's atmosphere.