NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

CSO-3

Launch Time
NET December, 2024

Originally intended to launch on the Russian Soyuz launch vehicle, due to geopolitical factors this is no longer an option. CNES & DGA instead opted to launch aboard Ariane 62.

Rocket

Ariane 62
Image Credit: Arianespace
Arianespace
Status: Active
Price: $88.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 8,370 kN
Payload to LEO: 10,350 kg
Payload to GTO: 4,500 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 62.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.4 m
Fairing Height: 20.0 m

Mission Details

CSO-3

The French CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique) high-resolution reconnaissance satellites are the optical space component of the MUSIS program that will replace the current Hélios 2 military observation satellites.

CNES, the French space agency, has notified Astrium that the DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement), the French arms procurement agency, has awarded the company a 795€ million contract for two satellites for the CSO program. The contract also includes an option for a third satellite.

As the prime contractor for the CSO satellites programme, Astrium will provide the agile platform and avionics, and will also be responsible for the integration work, testing, and delivery of the satellites to CNES. Thales Alenia Space will provide Astrium with very high-resolution optical instruments.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 3,655.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Location

ELA-4, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France