Franco-Belgian satellite programme makes progress
Two out of three CSO satellites are now in orbit.
A second Franco-Belgian Optical Space Component (CSO) military observation satellite was launched on 29 December 2019 from the Guyanese Space Centre, just before Belgian involvement in the predecessor Helios II programme expired on 31 December.
CSO-2 (pictured) features a very high-resolution optical instrument built by Thales Alenia Space.
Belgium has invested about €100 million ($123 million) in the CSO programme to launch three satellites, under a cooperation agreement with France in 2017. CSO-1 was launched in December 2018.
The programme is part of a strategy to pool resources for European space defence. The eventual three-satellite constellation is designed to provide better support for military operations with higher image resolution by day and at night.
‘CSO thus ensures more images with better quality that are available more quickly,’ the Belgian MoD noted in a statement. ‘The second CSO-2 observation satellite will give an operational rendering faster than CSO-1 with an even better spatial resolution given its lower height.’
For its part the French MoD announced that the CSO-2 launch reflects a strategy, launched in 2019, to invest €700 million in space defence systems by 2025.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch]()
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
