France Enhances Space Surveillance with Thales AURORE Radar

The New Guardian of the Skies: Thales’s AURORE Radar

Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the region of space up to 2,000 kilometers in altitude, is becoming increasingly congested. The proliferation of satellites, from large constellations to tiny CubeSats, combined with a growing cloud of space debris, presents a significant challenge to the safety and security of space operations. This complex environment demands advanced surveillance capabilities to track objects, predict collisions, and maintain a clear picture of activities overhead. In response to this evolving landscape, the need for sovereign space situational awareness has never been more critical for nations that rely on space-based assets for communication, navigation, and national security.

Recognizing this imperative, France has taken a significant step to bolster its space surveillance capabilities and, by extension, those of Europe. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded Thales Group a contract to develop the AURORE (Action and Space Resilience) Radar-Systems. This system is not merely an upgrade; it represents a generational leap in technology designed to provide an unprecedented level of detection and tracking in LEO. As the successor to the long-serving GRAVES system, AURORE is poised to become a cornerstone of France’s Strategy for space sovereignty and a key asset for European space security.

A Strategic Response to an Evolving Domain

The development of the AURORE radar is a direct answer to the growing complexities and threats within the space domain. For nearly two decades, France has relied on the GRAVES (Grand Réseau Adapté à la Veille Spatiale) system, a bistatic VHF radar that has been instrumental in monitoring LEO since 2005. While a capable system for its time, the rapid evolution of space technology, particularly the miniaturization of satellites, has exposed its limitations. The increasing number of smaller objects, such as nanosatellites and CubeSats, along with fragments from past collisions, are more difficult for older systems to detect, yet they pose a serious threat to operational satellites.

From GRAVES to AURORE: A Necessary Evolution

The decision to replace the GRAVES system stems from the need to see smaller objects with greater precision. The space environment is no longer defined solely by large, easily trackable satellites. The current reality is a dynamic and cluttered field where a small, untracked piece of debris can cause catastrophic damage. The AURORE system is designed specifically to address this gap, providing the high-resolution picture required for modern space traffic management and defense.

This technological step-up is a central part of the French ARES (Action and Space Resilience) program, a broader initiative aimed at modernizing and expanding the nation’s space surveillance network. By investing in AURORE, France is ensuring it has the sovereign capability to monitor activities in LEO, assess threats independently, and protect its vital space infrastructure without relying on data from other nations. This move enhances national security and reinforces its position as a leading space power in Europe.

As noted by General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, the successor to the GRAVES system will “allow us to see certain things that our European partners do not see,” highlighting the unique and advanced capability AURORE will bring.

Technical Leap and Strategic Advantage

AURORE is engineered with future-proof technology at its core. It is a Software-defined radar operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, which offers more precise tracking and imaging compared to the VHF band used by its predecessor. This design provides immense flexibility, allowing the system to be updated and adapted to counter new and evolving threats through software modifications rather than costly hardware overhauls.

The system’s key capabilities include continuous, uninterrupted surveillance of LEO and the ability to simultaneously track numerous space objects. This provides a real-time, detailed picture of the space environment, enabling rapid response times for tracking and identifying objects of interest. The radar’s modular architecture is another significant feature, serving as a foundation for a new family of UHF radars that can be adapted for other critical missions, including the detection of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

The development and Manufacturing of the AURORE radar will take place at Thales’ Limours site in France, with significant contributions from a network of French Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This not only ensures a domestic industrial base for this critical technology but also fosters innovation and expertise within the French defense sector.

Conclusion: Securing the Future in Space

The unveiling of the AURORE radar marks a pivotal moment for French and European space security. It is a clear demonstration of a commitment to maintaining sovereignty in an increasingly contested domain. By providing a highly precise and independent assessment of the space situation, AURORE will enhance military space surveillance missions, protect national assets, and contribute to the Safety of all space operations. It is a strategic tool that addresses the immediate challenges of a congested LEO while being built for the threats of tomorrow.

Looking ahead, the technology underpinning AURORE opens up new possibilities. Its modular and software-defined nature makes it a versatile platform that can be evolved for a range of defense applications. As Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales, stated, “With AURORE, the only radar of its kind in Europe, Thales is contributing to French sovereignty.” This program is not just about a single radar; it’s about building a foundation for a new generation of surveillance systems that will be crucial for navigating the complexities of the 21st-century security landscape.

FAQ

Question: What is the Thales AURORE radar?
Answer: AURORE is a new-generation, ground-based space surveillance radar designed by Thales to monitor and track satellites and space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) up to an altitude of 2,000 km.

Question: Why is the AURORE radar necessary?
Answer: It is being developed to replace France’s aging GRAVES radar system and to address the growing threats in LEO, including the proliferation of small satellites and space debris that older systems cannot effectively track.

Question: What makes AURORE technologically advanced?
Answer: AURORE is a software-defined radar operating in the UHF band, which allows for more precise tracking. Its modular architecture is designed to be adaptable for future threats, including potential use in detecting ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Question: What is the strategic importance of AURORE?
Answer: It provides France with a sovereign capability to monitor the space environment, reducing reliance on other nations’ data. It is described as a unique system in Europe that will significantly enhance space situational awareness and security.

Sources

• Thales Group Press Release