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European space satellite launched

01 July 1995

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On July 7 the first European spy satellite, the French built Helios 1A was launched from the French base at Kourou, Guyana. The optical satellite, with a ground resolution of 1 meter, will take two months to become fully operational. It was financed by France (79%), Italy and Spain. The successful launch decreases dependency on US military intelligence. However, Helios 1A, and a second spy satellite to be launched in a year, can only operate in daylight and clear weather. A follow-on satellite, Helios 2, which will be launched around the year 2000 will be able to take pictures at night. The WEU satellite centre in Torrejon, Spain, a permanent centre for analysis of space intelligence, will only have limited access to the data of Helios. As the French ask 200,000 FF for one image the WEU centre will only be able to purchase eight Helios pictures a year on its current budget. Defense News 22.5.95; Jane's Defence Weekly 15.7.95

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