The French government has launched a significant initiative to develop its own space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability. This program, in partnership with US startup Loft Orbital and collaborators Thales Alenia Space and TEKEVER France, aims to create a sovereign radar imaging satellite. The contract was formalized with the French military’s acquisition unit, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), and the national space agency, CNES, to develop and launch a demonstration satellite.
The financial details of the contract remain undisclosed. However, Loft’s senior marketing manager, Sarah Preston, indicated that the reported cost of €50 million (approximately $58.5 million) by Payload reflects the total value of the program more accurately, though it does not encompass the current partnership definition. This effort marks a crucial step towards establishing a national radar imaging capability, a vital technology for the French Armed Forces and the country’s strategic autonomy.
For decades, France has relied on the aging SAR-Lupe constellation from Germany for all-weather, day-and-night satellite imagery. In exchange, France provided Germany with visual imagery from its Helios electro-optical satellites. The new initiative, known as the DESIR (Démonstrateur des Éléments Souverains d’Imagerie Radar), signifies a strategic pivot for Paris, aiming to build a government-owned and operated SAR satellite network.
Investment in Military Space Operations
In November, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase military space spending by €4.2 billion between 2026 and 2030. This investment aligns with a broader national space policy focused on achieving “sovereignty and independence” in space operations. Loft, headquartered in San Francisco with a significant operational presence in Toulouse, France, leads the trilateral consortium responsible for the project.
Thales Alenia Space and TEKEVER will collaborate on the sensor payload design for the SAR satellite. Thales stated that the program will leverage its expertise in Earth observation instruments and ground segments. Specifically, teams involved in altimetry will contribute to the radar imaging development, while the user ground segment will utilize their proven capabilities on export programs.
Preston emphasized that the satellite, which is based on Loft’s Longbow satellite platform, is intended not merely as a prototype but as a demonstrator that will deliver operational capabilities to the French government for over two years. The satellite is projected to launch in 2029. Though details regarding future options for additional satellites remain undisclosed, this initial step represents a pivotal moment in France’s pursuit of enhanced capabilities in space-based surveillance and reconnaissance.
