SPIRALE 1, 2
The DGA (French Government Armament Agency), Telecommunication and Information Programmes Department, has awarded EADS Astrium a contract for the design and production of a space based optical early warning system demonstrator.
EADS Astrium is the prime contractor for this 124 M Euros programme and will supply the alert and monitoring ground segment. Alcatel Space will develop the satellites whilst EADS Astrium will be responsible for satellite integration and in-orbit operations.
The demonstrator called SPIRALE (Système Préparatoire Infra-Rouge pour l'Alerte) covers the supply and operation of a complete system able to collect and analyse infrared imagery against a land background, in order to detect ballistic missiles during their boost phase, just after launch. The space segment consists of two 120 kg class micro-satellites operating on an elliptical orbit, to be launched by Ariane-5 as secondary payloads in 2008.
This is the first demonstration of its kind to be conducted in Europe. It will pave the way for a future operational, early warning optical space programme. This will form a strategic link in an anti-ballistic missile defense system and will also contribute to other operational missions, such as proliferation monitoring.
| Nation: |
France |
| Type / Application: |
Early warning |
| Operator: Opérateur |
DGA |
| Contractors / Constructeur |
Alcatel Space, Astrium |
| Equipment |
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| Configuration |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Lifetime / Durée de vie |
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| Operatinal / Opérationnel |
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| Mass / Masse |
120 kg |
| Orbit / Orbite |
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