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ELISA
Initiated by the French Ministry of Defence, ELISA (ELectronic Intelligence SAtellite) was a system demonstrator. Its objective was to show that it was possible to locate radar equipment around the world from space and gather intelligence on their technical characteristics. Space does not belong to any nation, a huge advantage for this type of mission. Satellites can fly over all regions of the world with no restrictions, unlike aircraft or surface vessels.
The four ELISA microsatellites were launched in December 2011 and positioned just a few kilometres apart in a low-Earth orbit. They were built around the Myriade spacecraft bus, developed by CNES for its science missions. CNES oversaw the project with the French defence procurement agency (DGA) and also operated the four satellites from the ground.
The mission concluded successfully on 31 July 2021. The lessons learned from ELISA paved the way for the CERES programme, comprising three satellites launched on 21 November 2021. With CERES, France has joined the select circle of space powers with a satellite-based signals intelligence capability.
Mission's news feed
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Can we “see” the mountains through the clouds of Venus?
A surprising discovery has partially lifted the veil on Venus’ relief.
June 20, 2016
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Sulphur dioxide in the upper atmosphere of Venus
Using data gathered by a measuring instrument on the Venus Express spacecraft developed with CNES support, an international team of researchers1 has found evidence of sulphur...
November 23, 2010
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European planetary exploration reborn with Venus Express
Launched in November 2005, the Venus Express space probe has been studying the “morning star” since April 2006. Armed with a full suite of science instruments, the main ones...
July 3, 2006