GERMANY WILL JOIN the French Helios 2 intelligence-gathering satellite project, but only on condition that France also commits to developing an active-array radar "spy" satellite as a follow-on programme.
German defence minister Volker Ruhe met with his French counterpart Francois Leotard, along with the Italian and Spanish defence ministers, on 13 January to discuss the project. The two southern European countries appear to be on the brink of rejoining the Helios 2 project.
The Helios 2 will be equipped with infra-red and high-resolution optical sensors. It is intended that it will be deployed in 2001. The active-array satellite is tentatively scheduled for deployment in 2005, and will be all-weather capable, which Helios 2 is not.
The development of an independent "spy" satellite capability has gained impetus, claim French sources, as concern has grown over the access to US intelligence -satellite data. They claim that the US Department of Defense has held back some satellite-derived intelligence about both Bosnia and Iraq.
Discussing his country's decision to reconsider the Helios 2, Spanish defence minister Julian Garcia Vargas says: "Spain is a partner in Helios 1. The Madrid Government has decided to review our position and come back into the Helios 2 programme, because, with four participating countries, the project is taking on a very strong European character."
Matra Marconi Space has industrial leadership of the Helios II programme. Were Germany to join, then Daimler Benz Aerospace would also become a partner. Daimler Benz and Aerospatiale are discussing the prospect of bringing together their space divisions, with a resolution expected by the middle of this year.
Source: Flight International