EADS Astrium announced Oct. 17 that Arianespace will launch a pair of Spirale micro satellites into orbit. The two technology demonstrators will be auxiliary passengers on an Ariane 5 mission scheduled for 2008.

The Spirale program is designed to collect and analyze infrared imagery in order to detect ballistic missile launches during their boost phase. The early warning system will be a component in a future ballistic missile defense system.