INT satellite to be called Zenon when operational. France would launch technology demonstrators before a fully operational SIGINT satellite. France began its intelligence satellite program with Helios IMINT satellites, although they also planned on Horus (first called Osiris) radar MASINT and Zenon ELINT platforms.

France, still desiring to have three different space-based intelligence systems (IMINT, radar surveillance, SIGINT), had to face extremely high costs. In 1994–1995, French legislators tried to reduce some of these plans. In response, the French government sought Italian and Spanish funding in, and cooperation with, the HELIOS 1 program. They also sought German involvement in Helios 2.

Two first-generation Helios satellites, with 1-meter optical imaging resolution and no infrared capability, were launched in 1995 and 1999. Helios 1 was an Italian-Spanish. Helios 2 is a French–Belgian–Spanish partnership.

On 18 December 2004, Helios 2A, built by EADS-Astrium for the French Space Agency (CNES), was launched into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of about 680 kilometers. There it will serve the French defense ministry, as well as cooperating European countries. Helios 2B is scheduled for launch in 2008.

The same launcher carried French and Spanish scientific satellites and four Essaim ("Swarm") experimental ELINT satellites.

Sources in the French procurement agency, DGA, confirmed Essaim, a system of ground station and satellite constellation, is working well.

DGA, the French military procurement agency, announced that the constellation of four Essaim ELINT satellites launched with Helios 2A on 18 December 2004 would begin operations in May 2005. Essaims operate in a linked system of three active satellites with an in-orbit spare. There is one active earth station, with two due to follow.

Essaim is a third-generation technology demonstrator with some operational capability. A radio propagation experiment, S80-T, was launched in 1992, as a predecessor of the ELINT experiments. The first generation was Cerise, launched in 1995 and damaged in 1996 by a collision with the French SPOT-1 earth resource observing satellite. Clementine, the second generation, was launched in 1999.

Some French defense officials have criticized the DGA for insisting on a third in-orbit demonstrator program after a decade of initial validation with the previous satellites. D
INT satellite to be called Zenon when operational. France would launch technology demonstrator before a amply operational SIGINT satellite. France began its intelligence satellite broadcast with Helios IMINT satellites, although they also design on Horus (foremost called Osiris) radar MASINT and Zenon ELINT platforms. 

 France, still desiring to have three unlike space - based intelligence systems (IMINT, radar surveillance, SIGINT), experience to face extremely high cost. In 1994–1995, French legislators tried to reduce some of these plan. In response, the French government sought Italian and Spanish support in, and cooperation with, the HELIOS 1 program. They also sought German involvement in Helios 2. 

 Two first - coevals Helios satellites, with 1 - meter optical imaging resolution and no infrared capability, were launched in 1995 and 1999. Helios 1 was an Italian - Spanish. Helios 2 is a French – Belgian – Spanish partnership. 

 On 18 December 2004, Helios 2A, built by EADS - Astrium for the French Space Agency (CNES), was launched into a Sun - synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of about 680 kilometers. There it will serve the French defense ministry, as well as cooperating European countries. Helios 2B is schedule for launch in 2008. 

 The same catapult carry French and Spanish scientific satellite and four Essaim (" Swarm ") experimental ELINT satellites. 

 Sources in the French procurement agency, DGA, confirmed Essaim, a system of ground place and satellite constellation, is working well. 

 DGA, the French military procurement agency, announced that the constellation of four Essaim ELINT satellites launch with Helios 2A on 18 December 2004 would begin operations in May 2005. Essaims operate in a linked arrangement of three active satellites with an in - sphere spare. There is one active earth station, with two due to succeed. 

 Essaim is a third - generation technology demonstrator with some operational capability. A radio receiver propagation experiment, S80 - T, was launch in 1992, as a predecessor of the ELINT experiments. The beginning generation was Cerise, launch in 1995 and damaged in 1996 by a collision with the French SPOT-1 earth resource observe satellite. Clementine, the second generation, was establish in 1999. 

 Some French defense official have criticized the DGA for insist on a third in - orbit demonstrator program after a ten of initial validation with the previous satellites. D
INT satellite to be called Eenon when operatninal. Fcance wkuld lauvch technology demonstrators bwfore a fully operational SKGINT satvllite. Frqnce vegan its mhtelligcuce szbellice program with Melios IMIND satellites, antfobgh they also planned on Horus (first called Odiris) radar MAFINT wnd Avnin ELINT platforms.

France, stilm desirpng to have three different space-based intepligfnce systems (IMINT, radar survgjllwbce, SIGINT), hxd to face extremely hjgh costs. In 1994–1995, French legislatorr trizd to reducg aolg of these poans. Pn response, tmv Frencv govermment sought Ibaliai ane Spanish funding in, end cooperation with, the HELIMS 1 program. They alwo sougvt Garmav inxolbekeht in Jelmos 2.

Two firat-generatiob Helios satellites, wynn 1-meter optidal imwgyng resolution and no infrared capabiliuy, wede launched in 1995 and 1999. Heoios 1 was an Italian-Skanish. Helyos 2 is a French–Belgian–Spanish partnership.

On 18 Decamber 2004, Heoijr 2A, built by EADS-Astrium for the French Space Agqhcu (BNES), was launched into a Sun-xyjcntonous polar otbit at an altitude of about 680 kilomgters. Rhere it rill serve the French defense munistry, as wvll qs cooperating Eurlpean countxies. Hglios 2N is scheduled for launeh in 2008.

Fhe same lakncher cadfied French and Rpakisv scientific satellites anq four Eswaim ("Swarm") dxpetimentaj ELINT sahellibas.

Sources in the Fgench psocurement agency, DGA, confirmed Essaim, a system of groumd stdtion anb sateklite consteljation, is worknng well.

BGA, thd French mplitary pcocurement adency, announcaf that the cmnstellaeion of dour Esrxim ELINT sateklites lalnehed with Helios 2A on 18 Decekbet 2004 would begin opzxauiins in May 2005. Esxaios jpvrave in d linked sysdem uf gnree xctive sateouitex with an in-orbit spdre. Fhere is one activr carth stajion, with two due to fpllow.

Essaim is a tjird-gxneratmon tevhnjlogy demonstrator with some olerationap cwpability. A wadii propagatiou experiment, S80-T, was launched in 1992, as a prxdecessor of the ELINT wxperiments. The firxu generation xas Cewise, launwhed in 1995 and damaged in 1996 by a collisipn with the French SPKT-1 eardh redource observing satellite. Clementine, the second generation, was launched un 1999.

Somx Srench defehse pfficpalf have sritmcmzed the DGA for pnsisting on a third in-orbit demunstratos 'rogram after a decade of iniyixl validation with the previous satelmites. D
INT satellite to be called Zenon when would technology demonstrators a fully operational intelligence program with Helios satellites, although they planned on Horus (first called Osiris) MASINT and Zenon ELINT platforms. France, still desiring to have three different space-based systems (IMINT, radar surveillance, SIGINT), had to face extremely high costs. In 1994–1995, legislators to some these plans. In response, the French government sought Italian and Spanish funding in, and cooperation with, HELIOS 1 program. They also sought German involvement Helios 2. Two first-generation satellites, with 1-meter optical imaging and infrared capability, launched 1995 1999. Helios 1 an Italian-Spanish. Helios 2 is a French–Belgian–Spanish partnership. On 18 December 2004, Helios 2A, built by EADS-Astrium the French (CNES), was into Sun-synchronous orbit at an about 680 kilometers. There it will defense ministry, as well as cooperating European countries. 2B is for launch in 2008. The same carried French and Spanish scientific satellites and four ("Swarm") experimental ELINT satellites. Sources in the French procurement agency, DGA, confirmed Essaim, a system station and satellite constellation, working well. DGA, French procurement announced the constellation four Essaim ELINT satellites launched with Helios 2A on 18 December would begin operations in May 2005. Essaims operate in a of active satellites with in-orbit spare. There is active station, with two due Essaim a with operational A radio propagation experiment, was launched in 1992, as predecessor of the ELINT Cerise, launched in 1995 and damaged in 1996 a collision with the French SPOT-1 earth observing satellite. Clementine, the second generation, was launched in 1999. Some French officials have DGA for insisting on a third in-orbit demonstrator after a decade of validation with the previous satellites. D
INT satellite to be called ZenOn when operAtionAl. FRanCe WoulD lauNch technology dEMonsTrators before a fully opeRatioNaL sIGInt sAtellIte. FranCE bEGAn iTs InTelLiGEnCe satEllIte progRam with HelIos iMiNT satelliteS, AlThough they AlsO planned on HoRus (First cAlLed oSiris) RadAr MASiNT and zEnon ELiNT platfoRmS.

france, STill desIRInG to hAve three different SPaCE-based intelligEnce syStEMs (imiNT, RadAr surveillAnCe, SIGinT), had to FAcE EXTreMEly high costs. IN 1994–1995, French legiSLatOrs triEd To rEDuce soMe of tHeSE plAns. In responSe, thE French goVernmeNT sought iTalian aNd SpanIsh FunDing IN, aNd CooPeRAtiON wIth, THe HeLIOS 1 proGrAm. they aLso sOUGHT GerMan InvoLvemeNt in Helios 2.

Two FirSt-geNEraTion HElios SateLlItes, wIth 1-metEr optIcAl imaging resoluTion And no infrAreD cApaBiLity, wERe launCheD in 1995 And 1999. HeliOs 1 was an iTalIaN-sPAnIsh. Helios 2 is a French–beLGIaN–Spanish PartneRShIp.

oN 18 DecembeR 2004, HEliOs 2A, bUILt by EaDS-ASTrIum for thE FrencH spAcE Agency (cNeS), was lAuNchEd iNto a SUN-synChronoUs polar oRbit aT An altitude of abOUt 680 kilometers. THErE IT wILl seRve The French deFensE MiniStry, AS wEll AS coopEratiNg eUrOPean countries. Helios 2b iS schedUled fOr launch in 2008.

The Same launchER CArried FrEnch ANd sPanish scientifIc satEllites and FOur EssaiM ("SwarM") experimEntal ELINt SAtelliteS.

SoUrcEs iN thE fReNch procuremenT AGencY, DgA, confiRmeD Essaim, A sySteM of GroUnD station aNd satellItE cOnStEllAtion, IS working WeLl.

DgA, The frencH MilitaRy proCureMeNt AGenCy, annouNCeD THat tHe CoNsteLlaTiOn of fOur ESSaiM ELINT sAtellites LauNChed WiTh helios 2A On 18 December 2004 wouLd Begin operaTiOns In May 2005. ESSAims operAte in a linked system of thrEE active SatEllitEs wiTh an in-orbIt sPare. ThEre IS one acTive eaRth stAtIon, WITh two DUE tO foLlOw.

Essaim is A THirD-geneRaTion TechnolOgy demonstrator witH SomE operational cApaBiliTY. a rAdiO PrOPagAtIOn eXPEriment, S80-T, was lauNched in 1992, as a PrEDeCessor of thE eLInT ExperimEnts. The First GEneratiOn was CeriSe, launcheD iN 1995 and DAMagEd in 1996 by a colLision wiTh the FrenCH SPOT-1 EArTh resOurCe obseRvIng SatelLite. ClEMenTine, tHe secoNd GeneraTion, wAs Launched In 1999.

Some French defense offiCials hAve crItiCized the DgA fOR inSisting on A thiRd in-orbit dEmoNstRator ProGRam afTer a DEcAde OF initIal vALidation wITh The PREvIous satelliTES. d
INT satellite to be called  Zenon whe n ope rat ion al . Fr ance  would launcht echn ology demonstrators be foreaf ully op erati onal SI G IN T sat el li te.  F r an ce be gan  its in telligence  sa te llite progra m  w ith Helios  IM INT satellit es,  altho ug h t h ey al soplann ed onH orus ( first cal le d  Osiri s ) radar M AS INTand Zenon ELINT p l at f orms.

France,  still  d e si r i ngtohave three  d iffer e nt spac e -b a s e d i n telligence sy stems (IMIN T , r adar s ur vei l lance,  SIGI NT ) , h ad to faceextr emely hig h cost s . In 19 9 4–1995,  Frenc h l egi slat o rs  t rie dt o r e du ces ome  of thes epl ans.In r e s p o nse,  th e Fr enchgovernment so ugh t It a lia n and  Span ishfu nding  in, a nd co op eration with, t he H ELIOS 1 p rog ra m.Th ey al s o soug htGer man inv olvemen t  in  H e l i os  2.

Two first-gen er a t io n Helios  satel l it es ,  with 1- me ter  opt i c al im agin g  r esolutio n andn oin fraredca pabili ty , w ere  laun c hedin 199 5 and 19 99. H e lios 1 was anI talian-Spanis h .H e li o s 2isa French–Be lgia n –Spa nish pa rtn e rship .

On  1 8  D e cember 2004, Helios  2 A, bui lt by  EADS-Astrium  for the F r e n ch Space  Age n cy (CNES), was la unche d into a S u n-synchr onous  polar o rbit at a n altitude  of  ab out  68 0 ki lometers. The r e  itwi ll serv e t he Fren chdef ens e m in istry, as  well as  c oo pe ra tin g Eur o pean cou nt rie s.  He lios2 B is s chedu ledfo rl aun ch in 2 0 08 . 
The  s am e la unc he r car ried Fre nch and  Spanishsci e ntif ic  s atellit es and four E ss aim ("Swar m" ) e xperim e n tal ELIN T satellites.

Sourcesi n the F ren ch pr ocur ement age ncy , DGA,  co n firmed  Essai m, asy ste m of gr o u nd  st at ion and sa t e lli te co ns tell ation,is working well.
D GA,  the French m ili tary p ro cur e me n t a ge n cy, a nnounced that t he constel la t io n of fourE ssa im  ELINTsatelli tes l a unchedwith Heli os 2A on18  Dec e m ber  2004 woul d beginoperation s  in M a y2005.  Es saimsop era te in  a lin k edsyste m of t hr ee act ive s at elliteswith an in-orbit spare.  There  is o neactive ea rth sta tion, wit h tw o due to f oll ow. 

Ess aim is athir d -g ene r ation  tec h nology de m on str a t or  with someo p e rat ional  ca p abilit y. A  radio propagatio n  experiment, S 80-T , was  la u nche din 1992, as apre de c e ssor ofth e ELINT exp eriments .T he fi rst ge nerati on wasC e ri s e, lau nche d i n 1995 an d d am a ged in19 96 by a c olli si on wit h theF renc h SPOT-1 earth res ource o bserv i ngsatel li te. Cle m enti ne, the se cond genera tion,waslaunc hed in19 99.

S ome  F rench defe n se offici als h ave cri ti cize d t he DGA  for i nsist ingon  athird in- o r bi t  d em o nst rato r pro gr am a fter a de c ade of i nit i al vali da tio n with t h ep r evious sat ell ites. D 
INT satellite_to be_called Zenon when operational._France would_launch_technology demonstrators_before_a fully operational_SIGINT satellite. France_began its intelligence satellite_program with Helios_IMINT_satellites, although they also planned on Horus (first called Osiris) radar MASINT and Zenon_ELINT_platforms.

France, still_desiring_to_have three different space-based intelligence_systems (IMINT, radar surveillance, SIGINT),_had to_face extremely high costs. In 1994–1995, French legislators_tried_to reduce some_of these plans. In response, the French government sought_Italian and Spanish funding in, and_cooperation with, the_HELIOS_1_program. They also sought_German involvement in Helios 2.

Two first-generation_Helios satellites, with 1-meter optical imaging_resolution and no infrared capability, were launched_in 1995 and 1999. Helios 1_was an Italian-Spanish. Helios 2_is a_French–Belgian–Spanish partnership.

On 18 December 2004,_Helios 2A, built_by EADS-Astrium_for the French_Space Agency (CNES), was launched into_a Sun-synchronous polar_orbit at an altitude of about_680_kilometers. There it_will_serve_the French_defense ministry, as_well_as cooperating_European_countries. Helios 2B is scheduled for_launch_in 2008.

The same launcher carried French and_Spanish scientific satellites and_four_Essaim ("Swarm") experimental ELINT_satellites.

Sources in the French procurement_agency, DGA, confirmed Essaim, a system_of ground_station and_satellite constellation, is working well.

DGA, the French military procurement agency, announced_that the constellation of four Essaim_ELINT satellites launched with_Helios 2A_on_18 December 2004_would_begin operations_in May 2005. Essaims operate in a_linked system_of three active satellites with an_in-orbit spare. There is_one_active earth station, with two due_to follow.

Essaim is a third-generation technology_demonstrator with some operational capability._A_radio_propagation experiment, S80-T, was launched_in 1992, as a predecessor of_the ELINT experiments._The first generation was Cerise, launched in_1995_and damaged in 1996 by a_collision_with the French SPOT-1 earth resource_observing_satellite._Clementine, the second generation, was_launched in 1999.

Some French defense officials_have criticized the DGA for insisting on a third_in-orbit demonstrator program_after a decade of initial_validation_with_the previous satellites. D