Loft is to play a key role in an ambitious next-generation Earth Observation (EO) constellation project in France. It is to partner with Magellium Artal Group after winning a multi-year contract worth up to tens of millions of euros from the French Space Agency (CNES) for the deployment of this constellation. Loft announced the contract award, April 30.
The program’s aim is to deploy a constellation of 10 satellites built around a multi-sensor architecture. Each satellite integrates a range of complementary sensors, including optical, thermal infrared, hyperspectral, and radio frequency for simultaneous observation across multiple data layers. The system will also be designed for advanced onboard computing capabilities with powerful processors and software applications to process data directly in orbit.
The program will include a sovereign user ground segment, developed and operated by Magellium Artal Group.
The first satellite is set to launch in the fourth quarter of this year. CNES awarded the contract on behalf of France’s Ministries of Defence, Security and the Environment.
Loft said this award is an indication the company can meeting demanding EO needs and sovereign security requirements for governments, and sees the award as a sign of a more agile approach for European space systems.
“This program represents a leap forward for operationalizing the benefits of AI in space, driving a new generation of space systems that will ultimately be capable of continuously delivering actionable intelligence in minutes. Loft is emerging as a world leader in AI-enabled space infrastructure, guaranteeing French sovereign access to novel capabilities in line with the objectives of France 2030,” Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO of Loft, said in a statement.
Earlier this year, Loft was awarded another contract from the French government, to build France’s first sovereign space-based radar imaging (SAR) capability. For that award, Loft will lead a consortium that includes Thales Alenia Space and Tekever France.
