LUXEMBOURG -- Arianespace has been awarded a contract to launch the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) under the terms of a turnkey contract between OHB Italia and the Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence. Using a Vega C or Vega, the earth-observation mission will be conducted from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, in 2022.
The NAOS satellite was approved by Luxembourg's parliament in July 2018. It will serve both civil government and military purposes and will provide global coverage, being able to capture more than one hundred images per day. By operating the satellite, Luxembourg intends to participate more actively in the Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defense efforts.
Built by OHB Italia, NAOS will weigh approximately 600 kg at launch and is designed to have a nominal service life of at least 7 years once positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit at around 500 km.
Luxembourg has become a leader in the space industry. While much of its focus has been on commercial space activities, such as communications and space mining, Luxembourg has also begun developing military space assets. The government already operates GovSat along with SES. NAOS will give the government a reconnaissance capability as well.
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