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Optical Space Component - CSO

France launched its first new CSO-1 military observation satellite from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana 19 December 2018. This site is the launching center of Europe. Spatial capacity (Optical Space Component - CSO - Composante Spatiale Optique) is part of the French MUSIS program ( Multinational Space-based Imaging System ) open to European partners.

With a take-off weight of 3,565 kg, CSO-1 is the first example of a constellation of three identical satellites placed in polar orbits of different altitudes and assigned to two missions: reconnaissance and identification. CSO-1 has been placed at an altitude of 800 km where it will allow the acquisition of very high resolution images in the visible and infrared ranges, on clear day, day or night and in a variety of shooting modes allowing to meet the maximum operational needs. The shelf life of CSO-1 is estimated at 10 years.

The satellites CSO (Optical Space Component) of the program MUSIS (Multinational Space-based Imaging System) are military observation satellites dedicated to the French Defense and its partners. Under CNES contracting authority by delegation of the DGA, they must succeed the Helios 2 system and contribute to strengthening the capabilities of the forces in the field of space intelligence, support and conduct of operations in theaters of engagement.

The CSO system is part of the multi-sensor program MUSIS, conducted by the DGA and intended to ensure the continuity and improvement of the spatial imaging services currently available to French Defense.

The CSO constellation will comprise 3 optical satellites, which, placed in polar orbits of different altitude, meet a dual mission: a reconnaissance mission filled from altitude to 800 km and emphasizing the capabilities of coverage, acquisition on theater and revisit; an Identification mission filled from the altitude to 480 km and achieving the highest level of resolution, image quality and analytical accuracy.

The payload of these satellites allows the acquisition of very high resolution images in the visible and infrared (day and night) and in a variety of shooting modes to meet a broad spectrum of needs. The satellites are of identical design. These are maneuvering satellites, based on a platform architecture inherited from Pléiades and giving them a high autonomy and agility despite a weight of 3.5 tons. CSO satellites will have an unparalleled onboard orbit control capability for on-station functions.

The system was designed as a whole (chronology of mission operations, network of ground stations including a dedicated polar station) to provide the best responsiveness (delay between the request and the acquisition of intelligence), combined with a dissemination of data acquired until 'closer to users and in optimized time.

The project management of the satellites and the mission ground segment was entrusted by the DGA to CNES, which is also a system co-architect and responsible for launch operations, flight receipts and satellite postings.

Airbus Defense and Space France is responsible for the design and production of satellites (integrated on the Toulouse site), while Thales Alenia Space France provides the optical instrument. Airbus Defense and Space France is also prime contractor for the ground user segment, under direct contractual responsibility of the DGA. The development of the mission ground segment and mission programming and image processing chains involves several industrial companies, including Thales Services, Cap Gemini and CS-SI.

Belgium participates in this program for some 100 million euros. Defense and the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) each contribute half of the investment. A large part of this amount is guaranteed to generate industrial benefits in the Belgian space sector. Thales Alenia Space, which works on the payload , benefits particularly. The program is part of a process of complementarity of sensors and federation of a European Space Defense. Belgium was co-owner of the old HELIOS II system. With her successor, the CSO, she joined a binational collaboration.

The CSO, a constellation of three observation satellites, provides better support for military operations with superior image resolution day and night. This also increases the flexibility during an installation in a crisis zone. The number of observation points during each passage over specific areas has been increased. The CSO therefore guarantees a greater number of images of better quality and available more quickly.

The independence of the evaluation of a situation is now guaranteed by the use of a very complete and varied range of sensors (spatial, aerial, maritime and terrestrial). In this context, the observation satellites occupy an undeniable place: they offer a global coverage, allow to fly without legal constraint and palliate a possible lack of presence on the ground. They are one of the most important sources for images.