Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from the French Space Agency (CNES), working with the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), to deliver the radar payload and user ground segment for France’s DESIR radar imaging space mission. The award marks a major step in France’s effort to build a sovereign space-based radar imaging capability.
Announced on January 21, 2026, the DESIR program—Démonstrateur des Éléments Souverains d’Imagerie Radar—aims to develop national technologies for Earth observation using radar. The mission will complement existing international cooperation while strengthening France’s strategic autonomy in space-based intelligence and surveillance.
DESIR will rely on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. SAR enables continuous observation, regardless of weather conditions or daylight. This capability will enhance France’s current optical Earth observation systems, which can be limited by cloud cover or darkness. The radar data will support defense and intelligence missions, as well as civilian applications such as environmental monitoring, crisis management, and maritime surveillance.
Thales Alenia Space will draw on its expertise in Earth observation instruments and ground systems. Teams with experience in radar altimetry will contribute to the imaging radar development. The company will also design and deliver the user ground segment, building on solutions already deployed in export programs.
The project brings together a French-led industrial consortium. Loft Orbital will lead the consortium and take responsibility for the satellite platform and the ground control segment. Thales Alenia Space in France will deliver the payload and the user ground segment. TEKEVER France will develop the active antenna integrated into the radar imager. Several French small and medium-sized enterprises will also participate.
Program partners say the consortium model keeps critical technologies and intellectual property under national control. This approach supports France’s objective to secure key defense capabilities while strengthening its domestic space industry.
The DESIR satellite is scheduled to enter service in early 2029. A two-year operational phase will follow. During this period, the French government will evaluate both the system’s performance and the consortium-based development model.
The program builds on CNES and DGA initiatives such as pacte Espace and Cercle de Confiance Espace. These efforts aim to create a more agile and trusted defense space ecosystem in France.
“We are delighted to work closely with Loft Orbital and TEKEVER France on the DESIR program,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “This mission will strengthen France’s space sovereignty in radar imaging. We thank CNES and the DGA for their continued confidence and will leverage our expertise in radar and ground systems to deliver this program.”
