As part ofthe France 2030 investment plan, CNES has selected the multi-sensor and multi-orbit solution proposed by SHARE MY SPACE, ONERA and CS GROUP to meet the challenges of space security

SHARE MY SPACE, ONERA and CS GROUP, within the framework of the ESSOR project (Evolution of Optical and Radar Space Surveillance), have been selected by CNES for the”Demonstration of a space surveillance data supply service” component of the France 2030 governmental plan. Plan which is supported by the Ministries of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, the Ministry of Armed Forces, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and the General Secretariat for Investment.

The first phase of this project, which will last 24 months, will enable the installation of sensors and distribution chains, for short-term evaluation by CNES. A second phase will then allow the service to be demonstrated over a long period of 18 months.

The public authorities will have access for the very first time, and in the short termgiven the progress of the technologies, to a true multi-orbital surveillanceplatform based on optical and radar sensors. In addition, the ESSOR project will demonstrate the relevance and quality of the proposed services, allowing SHARE MY SPACE, CS GROUP and ONERA to broaden their value through services provided to commercial players, in particular satellite operators.

The increase in the number of objects in earth orbit (satellites, mega-constellations,debris, etc.) and the growing complexity of the space environment represent arisk for satellites and space systems as well as for the population. Improving the tracking of objects in orbit through such services is therefore essential to ensure safety and security in space and thus support the development of New Space activities.

By positioning CNES as an anchor customer, the France 2030 plan acts as aneconomic stimulus and enables the consortium members to boost France’s presence in the highly competitive space surveillance market, a market driven by new use cases in a rapidly growing commercial sector. In order to achieve this objective, each company will contribute according to its field of expertise.

SHARE MY SPACE is akey player in space surveillance. This startup aims to become the first European private company to provide orbital data. It will offer a dynamic cartography comprising 100,000 objects by 2030.

CS GROUP is a major player in the development, integration and operation of critical and cyber-secure systems for Defence, Industry and Space, notably with the development of complex space surveillance systems for the CNES and the French Air Force (SIS-NEXT project).

ONERA is one of the world’s historical players in low earth orbit surveillance, recognised through the development of the GRAVES system, which is operational within the French Air Force and Space Force and is key to French sovereignty.

Within the framework of the ESSOR project, the partners have an important complementarity in order to provide CNES with a space surveillance data service capable of improving the security and sustainability of space operations:

·      SHARE MY SPACE, the consortium leader, will mobiliseits global observation network based on MTOS technology to provide optical data.  

·       ONERA will deploy andimplement its MEDOC radar receiving station, which will deliver from 2024 onwards a large data stream for the detection and radar orbitography of objectsin low earth orbit with a high level of performance.

·       CS GROUP will design a platform for managing space surveillance data flow, distribution andsecurity.

This competitive solution in terms of performance and cost is also differentiated by its eco-responsible approach: low energy consumption compared to competing options,limited energy footprint of ground-based observation technologies and a small digital energy footprint.

“ESSOR will demonstrate the only commercial multi-orbit, multi-sensor solution in the spacesurveillance market on a global scale. This solution is based on years of R&D and operational practices within the consortium, and can cover a wide range of civil and military use cases,” remarked Romain LUCKEN, co-founderand CEO of SHARE MY SPACE.

“This contract isa recognition by CNES of ONERA’s unique expertise and the contribution of its technological solutions for the benefit of aeronautics, defence and space. The France 2030 government programme thus legitimises and enhances ONERA’s world-renowned space surveillance skills,” noted Bruno SAINJON, ONERA’s Chairman and CEO.

Sylvain D’HOINE, incharge of “Space” activities at CS GROUP added: “For us, ESSOR is an ambitious project, with quality partners such as SHARE MY SPACE and ONERA, which enables us to assert our position as French and European leader in data management and security platforms for the surveillance of objects in orbit, in the continuity of our activities with CNES and the Space Command.”

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