As part of the ARES program (Action and Space Resilience), Thales has been notified of a contract from the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to develop, deliver and deploy a new ground-based low orbit space surveillance radar system. Called AURORE, it will watch the satellites and debris in low orbit from the earth.

This ground-breaking radar system provides continuous monitoring and tracking of multiple space objects simultaneously. It will strengthen French capabilities for assessing the space situation. AURORE will be the largest surveillance radar deployed in Europe.

In the context of the increasing militarization of space, this decision marks an important milestone for European and French sovereignty, by providing unprecedented detection capabilities to enhance military space surveillance missions of activities in low orbit.

Designed and manufactured at Thales’ Limours site, the AURORE radar also benefits from the expertise gained through partnerships with several French SMEs.

As space operations are challenged by a substantial increase in threats, from military to space debris, the ability to identify and track multiple small objects in space in real-time makes all the difference when it comes to space sovereignty and protecting the skies.

AURORE is a software-defined radar operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, that will provide continuous surveillance and simultaneous multi-tracking of numerous space objects with a fast low Earth orbit responsiveness time, and the generation of a high-resolution picture of the space environment in real-time.

The modularity of its architecture will form the backbone of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at expanding the product portfolio with a new family of UHF radars capable of meeting the needs of multiple critical missions, enabling protection against emerging ballistic and hypersonic threats.

“With AURORE, the only radar of its kind in Europe, Thales is contributing to French sovereignty by strengthening its capabilities for monitoring the space environment at low orbits. AURORE demonstrates, once again, Thales’ leadership in the field of air and space surveillance systems.” said Patrice Caine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thales.