Infrared detector specialist Sofradir has announced that it has successfully completed the preliminary design review of its custom-designed 500x256 format IR detector for France's Spirale early-warning satellite. The approval came from Alcatel Space, prime contractor for Spirale's space segment.
The IR detector will now progress to the next phase of the programme, the critical design review.
The Spirale system involves the supply and operation of a complete ballistic missile early warning system that will be able to detect the missiles during powered flight by gathering and analysing infrared images of terrestrial backgrounds.
The space segment of the project will involve two 120kg-class micro-satellites in elliptical orbit that will be launched in 2008 by an Ariane 5 rocket.
Source: Flight Daily News
