A consortium led by ArianeGroup, in association with Eutelsat and Magellium, has been awarded a contract by CNES under the France 2030 investment plan, to improve space surveillance performance in all orbits.
A combination of new-generation, ground-based sensors and orbiting optical sensors will help broaden existing services, increasing the amount of data collected on satellites and space debris.
The project combines the expertise of ArianeGroup, which provides high value-added space surveillance services through its network of ground-based telescopes, Eutelsat for on-orbit and space segment services, and Magellium for image processing.
The consortium will provide CNES with a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data service through the deployment of multi-orbital optical sensors and the development and implementation of an optical space segment in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), to complement and enhance the performances of the existing ground-based network operated by ArianeGroup.
ArianeGroup is the prime contractor on this project and will supply the surveillance services provided by its ground-based network of telescopes, supplemented by data from the spaceborne sensor that will be developed during the project and then interconnected to ArianeGroup’s system.
This project will build on ArianeGroup’s ongoing activities through its telescope surveillance network comprising 15 stations worldwide, which today provides services to government, institutional, and private customers. ArianeGroup provides high-precision daytime and nighttime positioning and orbitography data, and analyzes space objects in various orbits. The service is fully geared to the surveillance, tracking and collision warning needs of civil and military satellite operators, allowing them to protect their satellites against all forms of risk.
Eutelsat, as co-contractor, will design, procure, and operate the first satellite in this space segment and supply the data. Eutelsat has therefore partnered with Sodern, which will draw on its experience in the development and production of cameras for SSA applications to design and build the onboard space sensor.
Magellium, also a co-contractor on the project, will develop the image processing for use on different types of optical payloads. Magellium was founded in 2003, based on independent and sovereign expertise in space image processing and its downstream applications. This expertise has been serving space surveillance since 2015, with the development of the space object detection and tracking function of the Tarot telescopes for CNES, followed by a noteworthy participation in the EU SST project on the same function, adapted to onboard processing and completed by a versatile and “high-fidelity” simulator of space observation scenes from both the ground and space.
The “Data Catalog for Space Surveillance” RFP was launched on April 29, 2022, and was assigned by the French government to CNES as operator of the France 2030 space component. The objective is to significantly improve the security of space operations through data collection. The consortium was selected in December of 2022 from among the five short-listed contenders, with its proposal to develop innovative optical sensors, on Earth and in space. These sensors will aim to significantly improve the number of objects cataloged in all orbits, as well as their precise orbital location and the regularity of observation, while detecting smaller objects.
The synergies made possible by the combination of new-generation ground-based sensors and satellites equipped with optical sensors will significantly improve the data collected by ArianeGroup’s command and control center. The processing and analysis of this new data will contribute to the development of space surveillance services.
The project will commence with a 24-month pre-operational phase, followed by an 18 month operational service demonstration phase, as decided by CNES.
This contract is financed by the French Government under the “France 2030” investment plan.
“This contract recognizes the quality and efficiency of the space surveillance services already provided by ArianeGroup to its government, institutional and private customers. It is also a vote of confidence in our ability to bring together the very best expertise, provided by partners with complementary skills. Developing sovereign space surveillance capabilities is a strategic priority for France and Europe. We are proud to contribute together to improving security in space, for the benefit of European citizens.”
— Philippe Clar, Defense Programs Director at ArianeGroup.
“Exo-atmospheric space represents a new challenge for the sovereignty of Europe and the protection of its space infrastructure. Eutelsat intends to play a full role in the global effort to monitor space and understand its environment by leveraging the company’s multi-orbital and multi-mission infrastructure, while joining forces with a leading player in space surveillance.”
— Serge Cholley, Defense and Security Director at Eutelsat.