France Completes Military Space Upgrade With CSO-3 Satellite Launch

France has launched the CSO-3 military observation satellite, completing the country’s new-generation defense space system under the MUSIS program.

The satellite was launched on March 6, from the Guiana Space Center using the Ariane 6 launcher at 5:24 p.m. Paris time. This marks the final phase of France’s military space renewal outlined in the military programming law (LPM), which began with the launch of CSO-1 in 2018.

Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces, said, "CSO is a major program that contributes to supporting military operations, strategic autonomy, and the sovereignty of decision-making and conduct of operations of France and its European partners."

The CSO system, developed by the French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), provides advanced military observation capabilities. The three-satellite constellation allows France’s armed forces to capture high-resolution images during the day and night, improving intelligence, targeting, and operations support.

The CSO satellites offer increased image quality, the ability to identify smaller targets, and faster responsiveness to operational demands. These features are intended to strengthen France’s autonomy in space intelligence and decision-making.

The CSO program also supports European defense cooperation. Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, and Greece have joined the CSO community through bilateral agreements, allowing shared access to satellite imagery.

The DGA manages the MUSIS program in collaboration with the Space Command (CDE) of the Air and Space Force. CNES oversees satellite production and launch operations, while industrial work is handled by a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. Arianespace provides launch services.