The Helios 2B military observation satellite, built for the French Ministry of Defence by EADS Astrium as prime contractor and featuring a very-high-resolution optical imaging instrument produced by Thales Alenia Space, was successfully launched Dec. 18 by Arianespace, using an Ariane 5 rocket, from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Helios 2 program, based on two satellites in sun-synchronous orbit, is a second-generation military observation system developed by France in conjunction with Belgium, Spain, Greece and Italy. The five countries participating in this program chose French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Generale de l’Armement) as the general contracting authority for the Helios 2 system.
Launched in 1993, the program calls on the space optics expertise of Thales Alenia Space, which supplied the high-resolution imaging instruments for the Helios 1A, Helios 1B, Helios 2A and Helios 2B satellites. The system provides a real “eagle eye” in space for all defence needs. The new-generation high-resolution imaging instrument for the Helios 2 satellites, designated HRZ for “High Resolution Zoom”, is the successor to the imaging assembly on the Helios 1 satellites.
The HRZ offers a significant performance improvement compared to its predecessor, especially in terms of spatial resolution and spectrum width, Thales Alenia said. In particular the ground footprint has been considerably improved, and the incorporation of an infrared channel makes this new satellite a prime reconnaissance tool for European defense. It will offer complementary night detection capabilities and will help speed up access to information, the company added.