France
Arianespace, in final mission of 2018, launches French spy satellite
European launch provider Arianespace completed its final launch of the year Dec. 19, sending the French spy satellite CSO-1 into orbit on a Soyuz ST-A rocket.
Satellite component supplier Sodern seeks to double output by 2020
Spacecraft manufacturers have complained of stress on their supplier base as operators purchase fewer traditional geostationary satellites. One company in France is bucking that trend, however.
French space agency pledges 10-million-euro boost to French Guiana economy
The French space agency CNES has agreed to allocate an additional 10 million euros ($11.7 million) to further the economic and social development of French Guiana, the South American territory home to Europe’s spaceport.
CNES creating a space startup fund
The French space agency CNES is creating an investment fund of 80 to 100 million euros ($95 to $119 million) to spur innovation in the space sector.
ArianeGroup stands up GEOTracker service to watch geostationary arc
An internal research and development program using widely available telescopes has evolved into a space situational awareness business for ArianeGroup.
Team France prepares satellite and launch export battles for 2016
The French space agency, CNES, on Feb. 5 concluded its annual internal seminar on international outreach, a meeting that is as much an order of battle on behalf of France’s space industry as a review of future bilateral space-research partnerships.
Space and France’s War on Terror
Three military space programs requiring substantial investments in the coming years should remain on track.
An Unbowed France Set To Showcase Space at COP21
The president of the French space agency wants to make sure the heads of state visiting Paris understand the indispensable role of satellites in climate monitoring.
Paris Attacks Pressure French Defense Budget as New Space Programs Ramp Up
French President Francois Hollande’s affirmation that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance would be top priorities after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris comes at a time when France’s already-stressed defense budget is committed to major capital spending on three space programs.
France Puts Up $39 Million To Keep its Companies in the LEO Constellation Game
The French government, determined that its industry not lose out on what might be a large new business in building low-orbiting satellite communications constellations, has issued a request for bids to industry for ideas on new components and manufacturing techniques.
France Unveils Commercial Space Investment Initiative
After three years of near-obsessive focus on launch vehicles leading to the next-generation Ariane 6 rocket, France turns its attention to satellites.
Arianespace Assures French Parliament it Can Outcompete SpaceX
The head of Europe’s Arianespace launch consortium on May 12 said the company can beat competitor SpaceX in the open market with a euro/dollar exchange rate at today’s levels and the planned 5-6 percent reduction in Ariane 5 rocket production and launch costs.
Airbus To Build Platform for CNES-DLR Merlin Methane-monitoring Satellite
CNES awarded Airbus Defence and Space a contract worth 30 million euros to build the spacecraft platform and perform payload integration for the French-German Merlin methane-monitoring satellite.
U.S., France Expand Space Data-sharing Agreement
U.S. Strategic Command and the French Ministry of Defense have expanded their Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data-sharing agreement to include classified information.
France, UAE Sign Cooperative Space Accord
The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) concluded a cooperation accord with the French space agency, CNES, which includes joint work on the UAE’s planned 2020 launch of a probe to Mars, the two agencies announced.
Vega To Launch Peruvian Imaging Satellite Along with Skybox Craft
Arianespace will use a Vega to launch Peru’s high-resolution optical reconnaissance satellite in the first half of 2016 under a contract signed March 25 with Airbus, the satellite’s builder.
