Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO; English: Optical Space Component) is a French military Earth observation satellite program of third generation. It replaces the Helios 2 satellites. It is sometimes referred to as the MUltinational Space-based Imaging System for Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Observation (MUSIS program).
Since the launch of Helios 1A in 1995, France has developed a series of military Earth observation programs. Due to the limited lifetime of satellites, a program was launched to replace the currently operational Helios 2 satellites. This program started as a French contribution to the larger pan-European MUSIS program, and eventually became a mostly French program.[1] An agreement between France and Germany was reached in April 2015, under which Germany contributes €200 million to building a third satellite, and in exchange receives access rights to the imagery.[2][3]Sweden and Belgium are also a program partners, which enables the use of a polar ground station.[4][5]
Technical capabilities
Unlike the Helios satellites, which used the same bus as the Spot satellites, CSO uses technology derived from the Pléiades satellites. It is much heavier than Pléiades with a mass of 3650kg.[6] They are made out of 3 identical satellites. The first one was launched in December 2018, and provide Very High Resolution imagery - like the Helios 2 satellites,[7] so around 35cm [8] from an 800km orbit.[9] The second satellite provides Extremely High Resolution imagery - around 20cm - from a 480km orbit.[6] The third satellite will be launched in 2024 and provide increased revisit capabilities.[10][11] The satellites have the ability to take infrared images.[12] The satellite manufacturing was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space, while the optical payload is built by Thales Alenia Space.[13]
The CSO system is able to produce at least 280 images a day on average.[4][14]
The program cost is estimated at €1.3 billion,[1] with an additional €300 million for the ground segment and 10 years of operations.[15] The marginal cost of the third satellite is €300 million.[2]
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
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