The four ELISA satellites will be placed in heliosynchronous orbit by a Soyuz rocket to be launched from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. They will be auxiliary passengers on the launch of the first Pleiades satellite in late 2009. Astrium is lead manager for the program, working with co-contractor Thales for French MoD procurement agency DGA. Astrium is prime contractor for the demonstration program, which comprises four satellites, each weighing about 135 kg. The satellites are built on a Myriade platform designed by French space agency CNES.
The program is being overseen by a joint DGA-CNES project management team.
ELISA (ELectronic Intelligence by SAtellite) satellites will use radar transmitters to map the entire globe, with precise feature definition. They are a first step towards the future ROEM (Renseignement d'Origine ElectroMagnetique) electromagnetic reconnaissance program.
Arianespace has already placed the Cerise, Clementine and ESSAIM satellites in orbit for the DGA defense procurement agency. This ongoing partnership enables the French Ministry of Defense to validate innovative satellite concepts using actual spacecraft in orbit.
Just a few months after the successful launch of Skynet 5A for the British MoD, Arianespace and its launch Service and Solutions offer remain the benchmark in space transport for both civil and military telecommunications operators, guaranteeing access to space for European military missions.
