Successful Launch of Helios 2B Satellite

• Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for principal systems on European defence and security satellites

(Cannes, December 18, 2009) -- 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 today by Arianespace, using an Ariane 5 rocket, from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Helios 2 programme, 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 programme chose French defence procurement agency DGA (Direction Generale de l'Armement) as the general contracting authority for the Helios 2 system.


Launched in 1993, the programme 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. It weighs 1,124 kg, consumes 418 W of power in standby mode and up to 893 W in use.It is operated by 290 commands and delivers 250 telemetry readings.

The HRZ offers a significant performance improvement compared to its predecessor, especially in terms of spatial resolution and spectrum width. 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 defence. It will offer complementary night detection capabilities and will help speed up access to information.

"Thales Alenia Space has produced all the high-resolution instruments for Helios satellites since 1993," said Reynald Seznec, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. "By drawing on our expertise in optical engineering and industrial facilities that are unrivaled in Europe, we have developed instruments that are increasingly sophisticated and also provide greater and greater precision in terms of both spatial and spectral resolution. Thales Alenia Space has the capabilities needed to remain the trusted partner of the French Ministry of Defence in the coming years, for both observation and communications applications."

Source : Thales Group (Paris: HO.PA)