The Hipparcos satellite is described as well as the scanning process of the sky by its optical design, as a consequence of the satellite’s motion. From these data, the possibilities of the mission is deduced and applied in the case of the binaries.

Discussion is made of what may be expected for different double star categories including spectroscopic, astrometric, close visual and wide pairs. Information are given on how proposals should be made for lists of binaries that should be observed.