# CSO-2

> French reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q60526300](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60526300)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSO-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cso-2

## Summary  
CSO‑2 is a French military reconnaissance satellite launched on 29 December 2020. It operates in a Sun‑synchronous orbit as part of France’s **Composante Spatiale Optique** (CSO) earth‑observation programme, succeeding CSO‑1 and preceding CSO‑3.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 29 December 2020 at 16:42:07 UTC【launch_date】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1a (flight R 15000‑006) from the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz【launch_vehicle】  
- **Mass (launch weight):** 3 562 kg【mass】  
- **Operator:** Direction générale de l'Armement (France)【operator】  
- **Manufacturers:** Space Systems and Thales Alenia Space【manufacturer】  
- **Spacecraft bus:** AstroSat‑1000【spacecraft_bus】  
- **Power source:** Four spacecraft solar arrays【powered_by】  
- **Orbit:** Sun‑synchronous orbit (satellite of)【satellite_of】  
- **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID:** 2020‑104A【cospar_id】【nssdca_id】  
- **Program affiliation:** Part of the French **Composante Spatiale Optique** programme【part_of】  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was CSO‑2 launched?  
**A:** CSO‑2 was launched on 29 December 2020 at 16:42:07 UTC aboard a Soyuz‑2.1a rocket.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of CSO‑2?  
**A:** It is a reconnaissance satellite designed to collect high‑resolution optical imagery for French military and intelligence operations.

### Q: Which organization operates CSO‑2?  
**A:** The satellite is operated by France’s Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA).

### Q: What spacecraft bus does CSO‑2 use?  
**A:** CSO‑2 is built on the AstroSat‑1000 bus.

### Q: How does CSO‑2 fit into the CSO programme?  
**A:** It follows CSO‑1 and is succeeded by CSO‑3, forming the second satellite of the three‑satellite CSO series.

## Why It Matters  
CSO‑2 enhances France’s strategic autonomy in space‑based intelligence, providing timely, high‑resolution optical data for defence and security missions. By operating in a Sun‑synchronous orbit, the satellite can regularly revisit target areas under consistent lighting conditions, which is crucial for change detection and situational awareness. Its deployment on a proven Soyuz‑2.1a launcher demonstrates France’s ability to integrate international launch services while maintaining domestic control over payload design and operation. As part of the broader **Composante Spatiale Optique** programme, CSO‑2 contributes to a resilient, multi‑satellite architecture that ensures continuous coverage and redundancy, reducing reliance on foreign commercial imagery providers. This capability supports national decision‑making, crisis response, and aligns with France’s commitments to NATO and European security frameworks.

## Notable For  
- First French reconnaissance satellite launched on a Soyuz‑2.1a vehicle.  
- Utilises the AstroSat‑1000 bus, a modular platform shared with other European missions.  
- Carries four solar arrays, providing a reliable power source for long‑duration operations.  
- Part of a dedicated three‑satellite CSO series that guarantees persistent Earth‑observation coverage.  
- Operates in a Sun‑synchronous orbit, optimizing imaging conditions for consistent intelligence collection.

## Body  

### Overview  
CSO‑2 (Composante Spatiale Optique‑2) is the second satellite in France’s CSO series, a military earth‑observation programme aimed at delivering high‑resolution optical imagery for defence and intelligence. It is classified as a **reconnaissance satellite** and is operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement.

### Mission and Capabilities  
- **Primary mission:** Collect optical reconnaissance data for French armed forces.  
- **Orbit:** Sun‑synchronous, enabling regular, repeatable passes over the same ground track at the same local solar time.  
- **Imaging:** While specific sensor details are not disclosed, the satellite’s design supports high‑resolution optical payloads typical of modern reconnaissance platforms.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 29 December 2020, 16:42:07 UTC.  
- **Launch site:** Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz, Baikonur Cosmodrome.  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1a (flight designation R 15000‑006).  
- **Space tug:** Fregat‑M (identifier 133‑11) performed the final orbital insertion.  

### Technical Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Launch mass** | 3 562 kg (launch weight) |
| **Spacecraft bus** | AstroSat‑1000 |
| **Power** | 4 solar arrays |
| **Manufacturers** | Space Systems; Thales Alenia Space |
| **Operator** | Direction générale de l'Armement (France) |
| **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID** | 2020‑104A |
| **Orbit type** | Sun‑synchronous |

### Program Context  
CSO‑2 follows **CSO‑1** and precedes **CSO‑3**, forming a three‑satellite constellation that ensures continuous coverage. The series is a core element of the **Composante Spatiale Optique** programme, France’s dedicated military Earth‑observation effort, reinforcing national security and contributing to allied intelligence sharing.

### Related Entities  
- **Reconnaissance satellite** – class of satellites that covertly gather intelligence.  
- **Soyuz‑2.1a** – launch vehicle version used for the mission.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "CSO-2",
  "description": "French reconnaissance satellite launched on 29 December 2020 as part of the Composante Spatiale Optique programme.",
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  "additionalType": "ReconnaissanceSatellite"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/cso-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/919)