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Successful fourth launch for SAR-Lupe observation satellite, with SAR sensor electronics units

28 March 2008

Cannes, March 28, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space welcomed the successful launch of the fourth SAR-Lupe satellite. This satellite will join the current SAR-Lupe satellite constellation, which is providing high-resolution images to the German Ministry of Defence. The satellite was boosted into orbit yesterday from the Plesetsk space centre by a Russian Cosmos-3M rocket.

Thales Alenia Space was responsible, on behalf of the prime contractor OHB-System AG, for the design and development of the Sensor Electronic Units, comprising radiofrequency, processing and control sub-units.

The SAR-Lupe program, which has a life-time of 10 years, comprises a constellation of five identical small satellites (720 kg) which will be positioned into 3 quasi polar orbital planes at approximately 500 km altitude, and a ground segment. The program is based on sophisticated technologies in SAR radar field, able to get images under any weather or light conditions (day or night). It will provide image in X-band and offer a spatial resolution of less than 1 metre. The last SAR-Lupe satellite is planned for launch this summer.

Thales Alenia Space is the leading European supplier of satellite-based solutions for defence and security with strong positions in both satellite and ground systems*. Building on its long and unrivalled experience in Earth observation, the company is a world leader in very high performance optical and radar payloads.

* Prime contractor for Syracuse, Sicral and COSMO-SkyMed systems, main partner on SAR-Lupe, Helios 2 and Pleiades, sole supplier of dual-use civil and military satellites on the export market (Koreasat-5, Star One C1 & C2, Yahsat 1A & 1B).

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups' "Space Alliance". Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. The company has a total of 7,200 employees and 11 industrial sites, with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.