Thales Alenia Space selected by CNES and DGA for payload and user ground segment for France’s DESIR radar imaging space mission
Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), announced on January 21, 2026 that it has been awarded a contract by the French Space Agency (CNES), in partnership with the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), for the DESIR program (Démonstrateur des Éléments Souverains d’Imagerie Radar*). The contract covers the development and realization of the radar payload and the associated user ground segment.
The DESIR program aims to develop technologies for a sovereign French space radar imaging capability, complementing existing international agreements, and thus represents a key milestone in building a national radar imaging sector — a critical technology for the Armed Forces in support of the country’s strategic autonomy.
All-weather, day/night observation, enabled by synthetic aperture radar (SAR), will complement France’s existing optical Earth observation capabilities used for intelligence and surveillance. These capabilities also support vitally important dual-use applications, including environmental monitoring, crisis management, and maritime surveillance.
The program will draw on Thales Alenia Space’s capabilities in Earth observation instruments and ground segments. In particular, teams responsible for altimetry will contribute to the development of the imaging radar, while the user ground segment will leverage the company’s expertise already proven on export programs.
An innovative consortium serving capability requirements
Thales Alenia Space in France, Loft Orbital and TEKEVER France have combined their expertise under a consortium arrangement, further strengthened by the involvement of French SMEs. As the consortium lead, Loft Orbital will be responsible for the satellite and the ground control segment. Thales Alenia Space in France will deliver the payload and the user ground segment, working closely with TEKEVER France, which will develop the active antenna integrated into the imager.
This partnership ensures that critical building blocks remain under national control and that the associated intellectual property stays within France. The program is expected to enter service in early 2029, followed by two years of operation, which will allow the Government to evaluate this innovative model in terms of meeting its sovereign capacity needs.
A lasting contribution to French sovereignty
The DESIR program builds on the DGA’s and CNES’ ongoing efforts to foster a more agile defense space sector, notably through the pacte Espace and Cercle de Confiance Espace initiatives.
Beyond its operational dimension, DESIR will help strengthen France’s economic sovereignty and sustain cutting-edge space expertise in-country.
“We are delighted to be working closely with Loft Orbital and TEKEVER France on the DESIR program, a mission that will serve France’s space sovereignty in radar imaging,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “I would like to thank CNES and the DGA for their continued confidence. Thales Alenia Space will build on its expertise in developing radar altimeters and Earth observation ground segments to deliver this outstanding program.”
* Demonstrator for sovereign radar imaging elements.
ABOUT Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost- effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 14 sites in Europe.
