Spirale is a French government programme to develop an
early warning system
An early warning system is a warning system that can be implemented as a chain of information communication systems and comprises sensors, event detection and decision subsystems for early identification of hazards. They work together to forec ...
which will use infrared
satellite
A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioi ...
imagery to detect the flights of
ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a type of missile that uses projectile motion to deliver warheads on a target. These weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods—most of the flight is unpowered. Short-range ballistic missiles stay within the ...
s during their boost phase, just after launch.
SPIRALE is an acronym which stands for "''Système Préparatoire Infra-Rouge pour l’ALErte''", literally "infrared preparatory system for alert".
The demonstrator system includes two
microsatellites and an alert and monitoring
ground segment
A ground segment consists of all the ground-based elements of a space system used by operators and support personnel, as opposed to the space segment and user segment. The ground segment enables management of a spacecraft, and distribution of pay ...
. The satellites have been launched by
Ariane 5 on 12 February 2009.
References
Missile defense
Spacecraft launched in 2009
Satellites of France
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