FAS | Space | Guide | France | Military |||| Index | Search |

France and Early Warning Satellite Systems

During 1994 the French national space agency, CNES, and the firm Matra Marconi, closely studied the requirements and benefits of an early warning satellite system. The latter's efforts culminated in a preliminary design featuring two 2,500-kg geosynchronous spacecraft which could be launched by the year 2005. The 600-kg payload would employ a cooled, solid-state array of cells sensitive to IR regime emissions within surface regions of 5 km² extent. Position accuracies of up to 100 m at altitudes above 6 km should be achievable. The proposed spacecraft would be 3-axis-stabilized with a maximum electrical power capacity of 2kW, of which 0.4 kW would be required by the payload. Serious consideration of the proposals was expected in 1995 (References 83-84).

83. "ESAT", Flight International, 18-24 January 1995, p. 44.

84. "CNES Urged To Finance Missile Warning Study", Space News, 16-22 January 1995, p. 2.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

FAS | Space | Guide | France | Military |||| Index | Search |