Ambition2020

2015, space for the climate

Philae lander The future Ariane 6 launcher Stratospheric ballon in Timmins, Canada Star nursery seen by Herschel

Following a year of great achievements and important decisions in 2014, our Space policy in 2015 will hinge on climate-related challenges.

The first reason is that several scientific and technological programmes we have been working on for years will begin to bear fruit. This is true for the Jason 3 satellite, to be launched next summer and which will continue the investigation of the oceans, begun with Topex-Poseidon in 1992 and later pursued by Jason 1 and 2.

Secondly because several projects, each of them innovative in its own right, are currently being developed. Swot will enable us to learn more about the global dynamics of terrestrial surface waters, IASI NG will further improve weather forecasting and Merlin will study methane and its impact on the greenhouse effect.

Finally, because France will be hosting the COP 21 Conference in Paris in December, an event that will bring together all those concerned by climate change. Space will naturally be a constant topic of discussion, given its vital contribution to knowledge of our planet and especially of its evolution.

In 2015 the overriding objective will thus be to bring global warming under control. Success is imperative because as the UN Secretary General said quite rightly, we cannot fail ”because there is no plan B since there is no planet B”. This is why CNES will be making Space available for the climate in 2015.

“Our Space policy in 2015 will hinge on climate-related

challenges.”

Jean-Yves Le Gall CNES President

January 2015

2015, space for the climate

View of the comet Churyamov-Gerasimenko recorded by the OSIRIS instrument on the Rosetta probe

Space, a French ambition

CNES, an undisputed benchmark

People have always wanted to know what lies beyond the horizon. Raising their eyes to the stars, they set off to conquer space.

As early as the 1960s, France made space a strategic priority, and a key factor of sovereignty. Fifty years later, space has become crucial in the daily life of citizens and the workings of governments. It is also a driving force behind the economy and job creation.

Space is a universe in itself, an infinite source of dreams and discoveries. For France, space has been, is, and will always be an ambition.

Milestones that have marked French space activities include:

• 1961: Foundation of CNES with the remit to shape and direct French space policy.

• 1965: France becomes the third space power with the launch by Diamant of the Astérix satellite.

• 1979: Ariane’s maiden launch from the Guiana Space Center. Its success lays the foundation for the French and European space industry.

• 1986: Earth observation for strategic and commercial purposes becomes a reality with the launch of the first Spot satellite.

• 1995: Military authorities can anticipate crisis situations and support operational missions through the Hélios program.

• 2006: Science leaps forward with Corot, which discovers nume-rous planets outside the solar system.

• 2014: The planet is enthralled by Philae’s historic encounter with its comet while, on France’s initiative, Europe decides to go ahead with Ariane 6.

With its many talents, CNES plays a key role on the French, European and international space stage, lending impetus, stimula-ting new proposals and providing technical expertise.

While some programs remain within national boundaries, many could only see the light of day thanks to international partnerships.

CNES therefore represents France on the European Space Agency’s Council, which can initiate ambitious space missions, especially science missions, by pooling resources.

CNES defends French interests within international bodies and helps promote our science and technology.

At the crossroads of research and industry, CNES supports the French space industry, whether large contractors or small companies seeking to export. At any given time, there are around 40 projects being examined or implemented, involving satellites, launchers, complete systems or subsystems.

CNES is also a major shareholder in several commercial companies, thus providing State support for strategic activities.

Ariane 5 ECA lifts off from theGuiana Space Center for flight VA218 on 11 September 2014Pleiades

Integration of Jason 3 at Thales Alenia Space

Taranis Merlin Jupiter room at the Guiana Space Center

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Satellite Gaia illustration

Four centers of excellence

Five strategic focuses

Second space budget in the world

CNES employs some 2,500 men and women with a passion for space and its infinite innovative applications for society.

The Midi-Pyrénées region has hosted CNES since 1968. The Toulouse Space Center (CST) is the agency’s biggest technical and opera-tional center. Its engineers research, design, develop, implement, orbit, control and operate orbital systems.

Paris Daumesnil is home to the Launch Vehicles Directorate (DLA), which has been designing Ariane launchers for over 40 years. Its specialists are working tirelessly to secure the future of the European launcher within a joint team composed of CNES and European Space Agency personnel.

In French Guiana, the Guiana Space Center (CSG) is in charge of launching all European launchers. Ideally located near the equator, Europe’s spaceport is a major asset for the European space program.

Finally, Paris Les Halles hosts CNES headquarters, responsible for mapping out French and European space policy and conducting CNES programs, whether national, European or international.

CNES activities focus on five strategic areas covering all the expertise needed to conceive and implement French space policy:

• Ariane: independent access to space is an issue of national sovereignty, guaranteed by the full range of European launch vehicles.

• Sciences: space exploration seeks answers to the basic ques-tions of humankind on the origins of the solar system, galaxies and life itself.

• Observation: our planet is under constant scrutiny by satellites that observe it, study its atmosphere and provide crucial meteo-rological, oceanographic and altimetry data.

• Telecommunications: satellites play a vital role in such areas as

With slightly more than €30 per capita per year, France’s civil space budget comes second only to the United States (€46), ahead of Germany (€16) and the United Kingdom (€6).

In 2014, CNES’s government-allotted budget of €1,982 million was allocated as follows:

• Contribution to the European Space Agency: €763 million • National program: €594 million • Program for Investment in the Future: €300 million • Own resources: €325 million

In 2015, CNES will have budget of €2,126 million:

• Contribution to the European Space Agency: €827 million • National program: €734 million • Program for Investment in the Future: €202 million • Own resources: €363million

This budget testifies not only to the high priority given to space by French authorities but also the remarkable efficiency of CNES, whose programs guarantee the highest possible return on investments.

broadband telecommunications, positioning, environmental data collection or search and rescue.

• Defense: very-high-resolution optical observation, electronic intelligence, ultra-secure telecommunications and space situational awareness all help to assure citizens’ peace and security.

Sentinel 2A satellite from the Copernicus program undergoing testing at the IABG in Munich

The Science Operation and Navigation Center (SONC), located at CNES in Toulouse

Pilot in the clean room at the Toulouse Space Center The futuristic concurrent engineering room at DLA The Gaia high-density computer storage bay

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A PPS®1350-G electric thruster developed by SNECMA (Safran) under a CNES contract

CNES and Europe

International partnerships

CNES and employment

Since 1975, the European Space Agency has been conducting Euro-pean space policy on behalf of its member states. With 20 member states and 2,200 employees, its leading contributor is France, represented by CNES, which guarantees Europe’s independent access to space and helps prepare new-generation space systems and develop international cooperation.

Since the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007, space policy has become one of the responsibilities of the European Union, which develops programs meeting Europe’s institutional and commercial needs. The main two ongoing programs are Galileo for satellite positioning and Copernicus for environmental studies. CNES is participating in both, alongside the European Commission and the European Space Agency.

CNES also leads numerous projects with international partners out-side Europe. Partnerships reduce the cost per participant, making it possible to initiate major projects together, capitalize on France’s scientific and industrial expertise, and acquire new skills.

Partnerships have led to many successes in the past. Today, nume-rous programs are underway with most of the world’s space powers:

• United States: oceanography (Jason 3, Swot), search-and- rescue (Cospas-Sarsat), Mars exploration (Curiosity, InSight Mars 2020);

• China: oceanography (CFOSat), astrophysics (Svom), space medicine (Cardiospace);

• India: atmospheric research (Megha-Tropiques), altimetry (Saral-AltiKa);

• Russia: launch system (Soyuz in Guiana), research and technology;

• Japan: research and technology, preparation of the future.

By inventing tomorrow’s space systems, CNES is stimulating tech-nological innovation, economic development and France’s industrial policy. CNES drives innovation to boost employment, 80% of CNES’s budget returning to French industry.

In mainland France, the space sector generates 16,000 jobs, the French space industry representing 40% of Europe’s space industry. The Guiana Space Center provides 1,700 direct jobs but generates five times more indirectly, accounting for 15% of all employment in French Guiana.

With €20 of economic spin-offs for every €1 invested, the com-mercial space sector leverages industry, the economy, research, society and public policies, making CNES a key player in economic diplomacy.

Swot

ESA ministerial council meeting, Tuesday 2 December 2014 in Luxembourg

French Instrument Mars Operation Center (FIMOC), Toulouse

Soyuz at the Guiana Space Center Svom

Moreover, CNES maintains an ongoing dialogue with most of the other space powers on the planet (Brazil, Canada, United Arab Emi-rates, Mexico, Thailand, etc.) for the benefit of the entire French and European space community.

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Ambition 2020After the historic successes chalked up in 2014, 2015 and the coming years will be crucial for French and European space policy. CNES is therefore constantly adapting its roadmap, dubbed Ambi-tion 2020, to develop its capacity for innovation and ensure France remains one of the leading space powers.

Supported by an ambitious, determined French space policy with a successful track record, the advantages of a budget that gives it the means to achieve its ambitions and by the dynamism of its experienced, enthusiastic employees, CNES will continue to invest in its five strategic areas of interest.

ArianeCNES is continuing to operate European launch vehicles for large or small payloads, scientific research, Earth observation, telecom-munications and defense. CNES also positions the satellites which it then operates.

At the same time, Europe is reinventing Ariane through the Ariane 6 program. This new launcher, designed by teams at CNES, the European Space Agency and in the space industry, will be more suitable for government and commercial satellite launches thanks to its two versions, Ariane 62 and Ariane 64, its upper stage re-ignition capability and reduced operating costs. The historic decision to develop it, made by Europe in Luxembourg, should enable its maiden launch to take place in 2020.

Sciences 2014 will obviously be remembered as the year that saw the glo-bal triumph of Rosetta and the successful landing of Philae on the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. With the data collected, a major breakthrough is expected in our knowledge of the origins of life.

Just as spectacular are the results from observations by the Planck satellite, a mission in which the French scientific commu-nity played a leading role, and the success of Curiosity, the Mars rover carrying the CNES-developed ChemCam and SAM instru-ments. CNES was also responsible for developing the InSight seismometer. A little later, French scientists will be kept busy on the ExoMars and Mars 2020 programs.

Planck reveals the magnetic fingerprint of our Galaxy

SEIS, the instrument on the InSight mission to probe the core of Mars

The MSL Curiosity rover on Mars The accelerometers for Microscope, at the TSC ExoMars missionLift-off the future Ariane 6 launcher, version 64

Cosmic Vision: Juice Mission

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The Musis-C50, constellation of Earth-observation satellites

TelecommunicationsCNES will continue to deploy and position Europe’s satellite navi-gation system, Galileo. When completed, this constellation will give Europe real independence in satellite-based navigation. Argos instruments are also playing a vital role in locating people in distress. Argos 3, to be flown on Saral-AltiKa, is already operatio-nal and Argos 4 under development.

New telecommunications satellites offer innovative services, inclu-ding broadband internet, high-definition television and increased mobility. This explains why payloads are becoming more powerful, heavier and more flexible.

For this reason, CNES is investing heavily in the development of electrically-propelled satellites, and has teamed up with its Euro-pean partners to develop Neosat, a new-generation electric satel-lite bus. At the same time, work continues on the fast-broadband telecommunications satellite THD-SAT.

DefenseThe two Pleiades satellites continue to provide high-resolution satellite images to an accuracy of within one meter. Pleiades was designed as a dual-use military and civil Earth observation system. Defense needs take priority, but civilians also benefit from this very accurate source of information for civil protection, mapping and precision farming, for example.

This dual-use nature also characterizes the Athena-Fidus telecom-munications system which will complement the capacities of the Syracuse satellites and provide broadband services for the armed forces and emergency relief teams. The Syracuse system will then be replaced by Comsat-NG, currently in the design phase.

The future Musis observation system, which includes the CSO optical segment, will focus on specific targets with a high degree of precision. The first satellite is to be launched in 2017. Finally, the military space sector’s electronic intelligence program is lea-ding into the operational CERES program.

CESARS, the Center of expertise and support for satellite-base telecommunications, at CNES Toulouse

MetOp-B under the Soyuz launcher fairing

Alphasat THD Sat

ObservationSince 2013, Saral-AltiKa joined ocean surveyors Jason 1 and 2. Its high-resolution Ka-band radar altimeter is an innovation in satellite altimetry. MetOp-B, flying the IASI interferometer, has already improved weather forecasts out to 72 hours, while Swarm is map-ping the Earth’s magnetic field.

IASI will be followed by IASI-NG aboard the MetOp SG (second-ge-neration) satellites. Then around 2017 it will be the turn of Merlin, a joint mission developed by CNES and Germany’s DLR to study greenhouse gases and methane. In 2020, Swot will begin investi-gating freshwater resources, a source of life on Earth.

In other fields, Microscope will be the first attempt to use a satel-lite to test the equivalence principle in the theory of general relati-vity, while Taranis will be studying X and gamma rays. CNES is strongly committed to Euclid, a mission scheduled for 2020 to determine the origin of the expansion of the Universe and the nature of mysterious dark energy. In 2022, the Juice probe will leave on its eight-year journey to Jupiter.

Finally, to meet the needs of scientific users, CNES designs, deve-lops and operates aerostat systems. Balloon campaigns are used for various purposes, ranging from measuring industrial pollution to studying the water cycle—alternating between drought and torrential rain—in the Mediterranean region.

Island of Bora-Bora seen by Pleiades

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Cover: Islands in French Polynesia seen by Pleiades, from left to right: part of the Tuamotu archipelago, Rapa Island, the Bora-Bora lagoon

CNES Centers

FRENCH GUIANACNES – Guiana Space CenterBP 72697387 Kourou CedexPhone: + 594 (0)5 94 33 51 11

www.cnes.fr

PARIS/DaumesnilCNES – Launch Vehicles Directorate52, rue Jacques Hillairet75612 Paris CedexPhone: +33 (0)1 80 97 71 11

TOULOUSECNES – Toulouse Space Center18 avenue Edouard Belin31401 Toulouse Cedex 9Phone: +33 (0)5 61 27 31 31

PARIS/Les HallesCNES – Head Office2, place Maurice Quentin75039 Paris Cedex 01Phone: +33 (0)1 44 76 75 00

January 2015 // Organizations: CNES, ESA, AIRBUS DEFENSE SPACE, NASA, JPL Caltech/MSSS CALTECH CNES/ESA/Arianespace/Activité Optique Vidéo, Thales Alenia Space, ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM, Planck Collaboration, ESA/PACS/SPIRE, Master Image Films // Photographers: Stéphane Corvaja, Pierre Jalby, Serge Henri, Sébastien Girard, Emmanuel Grimault, Hervé Piraud, Frédéric Maligne, Eric Lefeuvre, Fabrice LECINA, Michel Régy, L. Mira, G. Guillon, Cédric Samson // Illustrators: David Ducros, Mira Productions Rémy Parot, Pierre Carril, Jacky Huart //CNES editor-in-chief: Joëlle Brami // Copywriting: Françoise Couvry-Ventelon // Design and pre-press: // Artwork: Photothèque du CNES, Société Photon, Marie-Claire Fontebasso // Printing: Imprimerie Ménard. Translation: Coup de Puce. Published by the External Communications, Education and Public Relations Directorate, Public Outreach Department.