Composante Spatiale Optique
| Mission type | Earth Observation |
|---|---|
| Operator | EMA |
| Mission duration | 12 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2017 |
CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique) is a French military earth observation satellite program. It will replace the Helios 2 satellites. It is sometimes referred to as the MUSIS program.
Presentation
Since the launch of Helios 1A in 1995, France has developed a series of military earth observation programs. Due to the limited lifetime of satellites, a program was launched to replace the currently operational Helios 2 satellites. This program started as a French contribution to the larger pan-european MUSIS program, and eventually became a mostly French program.[1]
Unlike the Helios satellites, which used the same bus as the Spot satellites, CSO will use technologies derived from the Pleiades agile satellites. The system is planned to be made out of 2 satellites and a third one is contemplated should European partners express their interest. The first launch is planned for 2017.[2] The satellites will have the ability to take infrared images.[3] The satellite manufacturing was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space, while the optical payload will be built by Thales Alenia Space.[4]
The program cost is estimated at 1.3 billion Euros.[1] with an additional 300 million for the ground segment and 12 years of operations.[5]
References
- 1 2 (French) French Finance Law for 2013 : Defence : Equipment
- ↑ (French) French Military Planning Law for 2014-2019
- ↑ Sofradir wins military satellite IR detector contract
- ↑ "Lancement de la réalisation des satellites CSO du programme Musis". Direction générale de l'armement. 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
- ↑ (French) Press release from the DGA
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