Helios 1A, 1B
Helios 1A an 1B are advanced French Earth observation (surveillance) satellites which are widely believed to have 1 meter resolution capability. The Missile and Space Directorate (DME) of the French armament agency (DGA) heads the overall $2 billion Helios program. Spacecraft and payload information is not readily available due to the secret nature of the program.
Spacecraft
3-Axis stabilized, nadir pointing. CNES operates a Helios ground station in Toulous, France.
Payload
The imaging system uses 4096 pixel and 2048 pixel linear CCDs to provide 1 - 5 meter resolution images. The CCDs are produced by Thompson CSF. Tape recorders are manufactured by Schlumberger Industries.
| Country of Origin | France |
| Customer/User | DGA, CNES |
| Manufacturer(s) | Matra Marconi, Aerospatiale |
| Orbit | 675 km, sun-synchronous, 98.2 deg inclination |
Launch Facts
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| Name | Int'l Desig. | Date | Site | Vehicle | Orbit | Mass(kg) |
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| Helios 1A | 1995-033A | 7/7/95 | Kourou | Ariane 40 | LEO | 2537 |
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