France's DGA has notified Thales of a contract under the ARES (Action and Space Resilience) programme to develop, deliver and deploy AURORE — an ultra-high-frequency, software-defined ground radar to provide continuous LEO surveillance and real-time tracking of small satellites and debris.
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Briefing
AURORE delivers a persistent, ground-based UHF sensor dedicated to continuous monitoring and real-time tracking of small satellites and debris in low Earth orbit, strengthening operational space situational awareness.
The award expands France's sovereign space capabilities and adds to recent ground-radar investments internationally, similar to the USSF/Northrop Grumman demonstration of a multi-antenna deep-space radar in Australia.
The contract reinforces Thales' growing role in national and European space systems alongside other recent Thales-linked programmes (see ESA's €50m Phase B2 contract for SAGA with Thales Alenia Space) and fits DGA efforts to bolster resilience against contested-space threats (for example, France's army anti-drone laser demonstrator).
Reported By
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Thales unveils AURORE space surveillance radar • APAC Defence Reporter
Thales secures contract for France low orbit space radar system • airforce-technology.com
Thales unveils unique in Europe space surveillance radar • aero-defence.tech
Thales Presents Space Surveillance Radar ‘AURORE’ • defensemirror.com
Space Intel Report
• Peter B de Selding