Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:42:07
Tuesday December 29, 2020
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Flight VS25. First launch for the French Air and Space Force.
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.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
1 Payload
3,655 kilograms
Manufacturer
RKK EnergiyaPrice
$30.00 million
Rocket
Height: 46.94m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 8,500 kg
GTO: 3,000 kg
Liftoff Thrust
4,317 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.11m
Height: 11.43m
Stages
4
Strap-ons
4
50th
Mission
7th
Mission of 2020
282nd
Mission
7th
Mission of 2020
114th
Orbital launch attempt