July 26, 2023

Organization

CNES shared oversight responsibility with the French defence procurement agency DGA and operated the four satellites from the ground. DGA oversaw the mission and the operation tools used by both DGA and the French military intelligence agency DRM.

The system was still operational after its three-year nominal mission and defence officials expressed their interest in extending the ELISA demonstrator’s use to nine years. Tests indicated that the four Myriade satellites’ platforms and payloads were in sufficiently good condition and with enough propellant for this mission extension, in compliance with the French Space Operations Act (LOS).

The extension was decided without any change to technical and human resources provided by the industrial and public sectors. The system was employed by the military and satellite operations were handled by CNES. Industrial support was provided mainly by Airbus Defence & Space and Thales Airborne Systems.