SPIRALE B

Spacecraft nº:

France spacecraft nº: 59

SPIRALE= Système Préparatoire Infra-Rouge pour l'ALErte

Designation	33752 / 09008D
Launch date	12 Feb 2009 - 22:09 UT
Launch site	Ko, ELA-3
Launch vehicle	Ariane-5ECA
Mission	Military: Technology development Early Warning
Elliptical Earth orbit on Feb 13.30:
Perigee / Apogee	262 x 35711 km
Eccentricity
Inclination	2.04 deg
Period	630.80 min
Elliptical Earth orbit on Mar 16.39:
Perigee / Apogee	627 x 35697 km
Eccentricity	7.15E-01
Inclination	1.92 deg
Period	637.64 min

Prime contractor	EADS Astrium/Thales Alenia Space
Platform	Myriade
Operator	French Defense Procurement Agency
Mass at launch	117,3 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape	box
Dimension (m)	0.72 x 0.72 x 1.36m
Solar array	2 solar panels - span 2.17m
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime	14 months

The two SPIRALE satellites are test-beds for infra-red imaging, in support of a future French early warning programme: they are launched for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and they are manufactured by EADS Astrium/Thales Alenia Space using the Myriade platform. The body of each satellite is box-shaped, 0.72 x 0.72 x 1.36 metres, with solar panels which span 2.17 metres.
Demonstration program designed to collect infrared images of terrestrial backgrounds and analyze them to assess the detectability of ballistic missiles during their powered phase. It will pave the way for a future ballistic missile warning system.

Ref.: #84a, #225(09.02), #226 - update: 22.08.09