Using a Vega C or Vega rocket, the earth-observation mission will be conducted from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, in 2022. 

Built by OHB Italia, NAOS will weigh approximately 600 kg. at launch and is designed to have a nominal service life of at least 7 years once positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit at around 500 km.

Designed for governmental and military purposes, the high-resolution reconnaissance satellite will provide global coverage, being able to capture more than one hundred images per day.

By collecting the satellite’s data, Luxembourg intends to participate more actively in the Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defense efforts.

Vega C and Vega are part of the Arianespace’s family of launch vehicles, alongside the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the medium-lift Soyuz, operated from the Guiana Space Center. Avio, based in Colleferro Italy, is the industrial prime contractor for Vega and Vega C.

Following the signature of this contract, Mr. Roberto Aceti, Managing director at OHB Italia, said: “We are delighted to contribute to the realization of the Luxembourg Earth Observation system with our NAOS satellite. With the signature of this launch contract, we confirm Arianespace as our traditional and reliable partner for launching our satellites, after the success of OPTSAT-3000 and the upcoming PRISMA.”

Mr. Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said: “Arianespace is delighted that OHB Italia entrusted the Vega system to orbit NAOS, an advanced observation satellite for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. By launching this new satellite fully owned by the Luxembourg’s Government, Arianespace is proud to help enhance the country’s capacities in space to the benefit of citizens and the NATO alliance. This contract proves once again the competitiveness of the Vega offer towards the small satellites market and Arianespace capacity to ensure a reliable and competitive access to space for European partners”. 

About Arianespace

Arianespace uses space to make life better on Earth by providing launch services for all types of satellites into all orbits. It has orbited more than 580 satellites since 1980, using its family of three launchers, Ariane, Soyuz and Vega, from launch sites in French Guiana (South America) and Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Arianespace is headquartered in Evry, near Paris, and has a technical facility at the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, plus local offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo and Singapore. Arianespace is a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, which holds 74% of its share capital, with the balance held by 17 other shareholders from the European launcher industry.