France’s National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) has renewed a six-year contract for the procurement of engineering and space computing services, which will see it increase its use of digital technologies, automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
François Sillion, chief technology and digital officer at CNES, said: “New technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation are leading to innovations that are revolutionising the industrial and digital models of the space industry.
“Together with Atos and its partners, CNES is taking full advantage of these advances, which are helping our ecosystem evolve, strengthening our sovereignty and competitiveness and fostering the emergence of new services that will enable the space industry to assert France’s and Europe’s leadership.”
The CNES has enlisted IT services provider Atos to contribute to its various civil, scientific and military programmes under the Ingénierie Bord et Informatique Spatiale (IBIS) framework agreement.
The company has partnered with Ausy, Clemessy (Eiffage Group), Epsyl (Alcen Group), Geo4i, OHB, Serco and Terma to form a digital technology consortium.
Atos’ expertise in technological integration will be applied to the industrial design and IT operation of the ground and onboard segments of one of the agency’s satellite programmes, as well as the communication resources between segments.
Under the remit of the project, the ground segment will manage the satellite, the orbit modifications and receive observation data; the consortium have been brought in to design, maintain and operate these systems, including the engineering and testing of both the onboard and ground systems.
Space expertise will also be provided from Toulouse, the European Space capital.
To support the programme, Atos plans to leverage its network of R&D centres and Inno’Labs in France, as well as the innovation centres of its partners.
CNES is a public body responsible for developing and implementing France’s national space policy.
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