DESIR
Compiled from public sources. Not independently verified by Loft Orbital.
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DESIR (Demonstrateur des Elements Souverains d'Imagerie Radar) is a planned French sovereign SAR satellite programme procured jointly by CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and DGA (Direction Generale de l'Armement). Loft Orbital was selected as prime contractor, responsible for the satellite bus based on the Longbow platform and ground control operations [^loft-desir-pr][^breakingdefense-desir]. Thales Alenia Space is contracted by CNES and DGA to deliver the SAR payload and the user ground segment, with TEKEVER France participating as payload co-designer for the active antenna [^tas-desir-pr]. The contract award to Loft Orbital was valued at approximately EUR 50 million [^payloadspace-desir].
The mission is classified as demonstrating SAR imaging methodology [^loft-desir-pr] and is planned for a LEO orbit, with specific orbit type and altitude to be determined. SAR frequency band, resolution, and swath parameters had not been publicly disclosed as of the research date. Launch is planned for 2029.