France seeks to safeguard its military assets across space orbits with PALADIN satellite
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According to information published by the French Ministry of Armed Forces on August 11, 2025, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) awarded the PALADIN (Positioning and Autonomous Laser Assisted Detection in Near-space) framework agreement to French New Space company Infinite Orbits on August 8, 2025, for a maximum value of 50 million euros. The contract tasks Infinite Orbits with delivering a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) inspection and surveillance service to the French Space Command (CDE) under the national Action and Resilience in Space (ARES) program. The PALADIN satellite, slated for launch in 2027, will build upon the company’s Orbit Guard platform and be supported by developments funded through the France 2030 investment plan coordinated by the National Center for Space Studies (CNES).Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Orbit Guard combines autonomous vision-based navigation, high-resolution optical imaging, and electric propulsion to inspect and monitor satellites in geostationary orbit with precision and agility (Picture source : Infinite Orbits).
PALADIN, whose name stands for Positioning and Autonomous Laser Assisted Detection in Near-space, is a next-generation geostationary inspection satellite designed to operate as an orbital guardian for French strategic assets. It is conceived as a compact but highly capable spacecraft that combines advanced optical sensors, autonomous navigation, and electric propulsion to patrol the GEO belt, identify nearby satellites, and conduct close-range inspections. The platform is intended to provide both continuous wide-area monitoring and the ability to approach specific targets for high-resolution imaging, making it a versatile asset for both defensive surveillance and preparatory space operations.
For France, securing the PALADIN capability represents a strategic investment in preserving national sovereignty and operational freedom in space. The geostationary belt hosts critical national assets such as military communications satellites, meteorological platforms, and intelligence gathering systems. In an era of increasing orbital congestion and rising geopolitical tensions, the ability to autonomously detect, identify, and respond to anomalous or hostile actions in GEO is indispensable. The contract ensures that France will not be solely reliant on allied intelligence for space situational awareness, giving the CDE the tools to independently verify events, attribute potential threats, and act decisively in the protection of high value orbital infrastructure.
Infinite Orbits’ Orbit Guard series already includes operational small satellites in GEO equipped with a vision based rendezvous system capable of far and near range navigation, pose estimation with centimetre level accuracy at short distances, precise attitude determination, debris detection, trajectory tracking, and efficient maneuver planning. The technology has been validated in complex orbital environments, including missions involving proximity inspection of non cooperative satellites. PALADIN will inherit these capabilities, enabling it to approach, inspect, and monitor objects in geostationary orbit with a level of precision previously unavailable to the French armed forces.
A key technical enabler for PALADIN will be its electric propulsion system, providing high efficiency thrust for station keeping and rapid maneuvering across the GEO belt. This propulsion, combined with advanced onboard guidance and control algorithms, will allow the spacecraft to position itself for optimal inspection angles and avoid potential hazards. Complementary space situational awareness support from ground based optical tracking networks will enhance orbital data accuracy, allowing PALADIN to refine its proximity operations and maintain safe distances during observation missions.
Space is becoming an increasingly contested and competitive domain for modern armed forces. The proliferation of satellites, the growing risk of orbital debris, and the emergence of counterspace capabilities such as jamming, dazzling, and co orbital interference have transformed space from a benign support environment into a potential frontline. For military planners, assured access to space based services including communications, navigation, intelligence, and missile warning is now as critical as control of airspace or maritime chokepoints. In this context, systems like PALADIN are not merely surveillance tools but active enablers of deterrence, ensuring that any attempt to threaten national or allied assets in orbit can be detected, documented, and addressed before it compromises operational readiness on Earth.
PALADIN’s payload is expected to include multi spectral optical sensors with sub meter resolution capable of identifying small structural details on target satellites. High speed onboard processing will allow real time image analysis and object classification while AI driven decision support will enable the spacecraft to execute pre programmed threat response maneuvers. Encrypted communications will ensure that mission data is transmitted securely to the CDE without risk of interception or tampering.
By awarding the PALADIN contract in under three months, the DGA highlights its determination to rapidly integrate innovative solutions from agile aerospace SMEs into national defense capabilities. PALADIN will serve as a stepping stone toward EGIDE, France’s future dedicated military space engagement system expected by 2030 under the 2024 to 2030 Military Programming Law. With Infinite Orbits as prime contractor, the program positions France among the few nations capable of autonomous passive and active GEO defensive operations, reinforcing strategic resilience against emerging threats in the increasingly contested space domain.
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According to information published by the French Ministry of Armed Forces on August 11, 2025, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) awarded the PALADIN (Positioning and Autonomous Laser Assisted Detection in Near-space) framework agreement to French New Space company Infinite Orbits on August 8, 2025, for a maximum value of 50 million euros. The contract tasks Infinite Orbits with delivering a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) inspection and surveillance service to the French Space Command (CDE) under the national Action and Resilience in Space (ARES) program. The PALADIN satellite, slated for launch in 2027, will build upon the company’s Orbit Guard platform and be supported by developments funded through the France 2030 investment plan coordinated by the National Center for Space Studies (CNES).
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Orbit Guard combines autonomous vision-based navigation, high-resolution optical imaging, and electric propulsion to inspect and monitor satellites in geostationary orbit with precision and agility (Picture source : Infinite Orbits).
PALADIN, whose name stands for Positioning and Autonomous Laser Assisted Detection in Near-space, is a next-generation geostationary inspection satellite designed to operate as an orbital guardian for French strategic assets. It is conceived as a compact but highly capable spacecraft that combines advanced optical sensors, autonomous navigation, and electric propulsion to patrol the GEO belt, identify nearby satellites, and conduct close-range inspections. The platform is intended to provide both continuous wide-area monitoring and the ability to approach specific targets for high-resolution imaging, making it a versatile asset for both defensive surveillance and preparatory space operations.
For France, securing the PALADIN capability represents a strategic investment in preserving national sovereignty and operational freedom in space. The geostationary belt hosts critical national assets such as military communications satellites, meteorological platforms, and intelligence gathering systems. In an era of increasing orbital congestion and rising geopolitical tensions, the ability to autonomously detect, identify, and respond to anomalous or hostile actions in GEO is indispensable. The contract ensures that France will not be solely reliant on allied intelligence for space situational awareness, giving the CDE the tools to independently verify events, attribute potential threats, and act decisively in the protection of high value orbital infrastructure.
Infinite Orbits’ Orbit Guard series already includes operational small satellites in GEO equipped with a vision based rendezvous system capable of far and near range navigation, pose estimation with centimetre level accuracy at short distances, precise attitude determination, debris detection, trajectory tracking, and efficient maneuver planning. The technology has been validated in complex orbital environments, including missions involving proximity inspection of non cooperative satellites. PALADIN will inherit these capabilities, enabling it to approach, inspect, and monitor objects in geostationary orbit with a level of precision previously unavailable to the French armed forces.
A key technical enabler for PALADIN will be its electric propulsion system, providing high efficiency thrust for station keeping and rapid maneuvering across the GEO belt. This propulsion, combined with advanced onboard guidance and control algorithms, will allow the spacecraft to position itself for optimal inspection angles and avoid potential hazards. Complementary space situational awareness support from ground based optical tracking networks will enhance orbital data accuracy, allowing PALADIN to refine its proximity operations and maintain safe distances during observation missions.
Space is becoming an increasingly contested and competitive domain for modern armed forces. The proliferation of satellites, the growing risk of orbital debris, and the emergence of counterspace capabilities such as jamming, dazzling, and co orbital interference have transformed space from a benign support environment into a potential frontline. For military planners, assured access to space based services including communications, navigation, intelligence, and missile warning is now as critical as control of airspace or maritime chokepoints. In this context, systems like PALADIN are not merely surveillance tools but active enablers of deterrence, ensuring that any attempt to threaten national or allied assets in orbit can be detected, documented, and addressed before it compromises operational readiness on Earth.
PALADIN’s payload is expected to include multi spectral optical sensors with sub meter resolution capable of identifying small structural details on target satellites. High speed onboard processing will allow real time image analysis and object classification while AI driven decision support will enable the spacecraft to execute pre programmed threat response maneuvers. Encrypted communications will ensure that mission data is transmitted securely to the CDE without risk of interception or tampering.
By awarding the PALADIN contract in under three months, the DGA highlights its determination to rapidly integrate innovative solutions from agile aerospace SMEs into national defense capabilities. PALADIN will serve as a stepping stone toward EGIDE, France’s future dedicated military space engagement system expected by 2030 under the 2024 to 2030 Military Programming Law. With Infinite Orbits as prime contractor, the program positions France among the few nations capable of autonomous passive and active GEO defensive operations, reinforcing strategic resilience against emerging threats in the increasingly contested space domain.
