CSO

The CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique/ Spacial Optical Component) is an Earth observation satellite designed to deliver advanced high-resolution imagery replacing the Helios 2 constellation. The new spacecraft will deliver better Earth imagery than the current Helios 2 system. The French Ministry of Defense Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) selected the French Space Agency (CNES) to pick up a contractor for the CSO program. On November 30, 2010, CNES awarded EADS Astrium a 795 million Euro contract for the development and construction of two CSO satellites with the first launch planned for December 2016. Thales Alenia Space will provide the optical instruments. CSO satellites will provide the imagery component of the future Multinational Space-based System (MUSIS). Two satellites are envisaged under this program but there is an option to build a third satellite depending on funding provided by the MUSIS partners. The MUSIS is an international initiative involving France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Greece and Italy.

deagel.com: https://www.deagel.com/x/x/a002602