Airbus and Unseenlabs Win Cassiopée Contract for Space Intelligence
The General Directorate of Armaments has awarded the CASSIOPÉE contract to Airbus Defence and Space, as prime contractor, and to its subcontractor Unseenlabs. The award was announced on September 11, 2026 by Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans, at the margins of the International Space Summit.
It launches the renewal of France's space-based electromagnetic intelligence capability.
A Contract to Renew France's Space-Based Electromagnetic Intelligence Capability
The CASSIOPÉE contract, awarded by the DGA, associates Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor and Unseenlabs as subcontractor. It covers the renewal of France's space-based electromagnetic intelligence capability (ROEM).
By 2032, CASSIOPÉE will succeed the satellites of the CERES constellation to guarantee France an operational electromagnetic intelligence capability from space. The system constitutes the sovereign high-performance patrimonial core of the CELESTE program (Spatial Electromagnetic Capacity).
Division of Roles Between Airbus and Unseenlabs
Airbus will serve as system integrator and will provide the control center and space segment, based on its latest-generation S250 platform, used notably for the CO3D constellation.
Unseenlabs will contribute its expertise on the mission, ground and onboard processing, will provide the user ground segment as well as a payload. According to the press release, the system will offer, in addition to continuity of current capability, improved technical performance and increased responsiveness.
Space-Based Electromagnetic Intelligence
Space-based electromagnetic intelligence relies on the collection and analysis of electromagnetic signals, principally radar and telecommunications emissions. It enables the detection, characterization and monitoring of transmitters likely to pose threats to areas of strategic interest and operational theaters.
This award is part of a series of contracts entrusted to Airbus Defence and Space within the framework of the Paris International Space Summit, following the order of 229 OneWeb satellites by Eutelsat announced on September 11, 2026.
