Thales Presents Space Surveillance Radar ‘AURORE’

French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has asked Thales to develop, deliver, and deploy a new space surveillance radar, named AURORE, under the ARES (Action et Résilience Spatiale) program.

The radar will monitor satellites and debris in low Earth orbit from the ground. It is set to become the largest surveillance system of its kind deployed in Europe.

Increased militarization of space requires the ability to detect and track both military objects and debris that could jeopardize space operations. Real-time identification of emerging threats is viewed as a priority for protecting orbital assets and operational continuity.

AURORE is a software-based radar operating in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band. It is designed to provide permanent surveillance through simultaneous tracking of multiple objects, rapid responsiveness in low orbit, and high-resolution imaging of the surrounding space environment.

The radar is designed and manufactured at Thales facilities in Limours, with additional expertise contributed through partnerships with several French small and medium-sized enterprises. Its modular architecture is expected to support future expansion, including a family of UHF radars positioned to address ballistic and hypersonic threats.