Helios 1A, 1B

Helios 1A [Astrium]

The Helios program is Europe's military optical reconnaissance system consisting of both a space and a ground segment, which commenced service in 1995, jointly funded by the French, Italian and Spanish governments. The Helios I optical observation satellites, launched in July 1995 and December 1999 respectively, can acquire high resolution images of any point on the globe, with daily revisit capability. The French Ministry of Defence procurement agency DGA runs the program, retains direct control over the management of the ground segment, and delegates the space segment responsibility to the French space agency CNES.

Helios-1B had suffered a breakdown of its power supply system and could no longer perform any work after operating for just under its 5-year nominal life expectancy. Helios 1A continues to operate.