France awards Unseenlabs and Airbus contracts for CÉLESTE space-based SIGINT constellation
Unseenlabs and Airbus Defence and Space will develop France's next-generation space-based signals intelligence capability under the CÉLESTE (Capacité ÉLectromagnétique SpaTiaLE) programme. The constellation will provide electromagnetic intelligence gathering from orbit, complementing the optical IRIS (Instruments de Renseignement et d'Imagerie Spatiale) programme also confirmed in the 2024–30 military planning law. Both programmes had faced possible delays during parliamentary review but were retained. Contract value was not disclosed.
Why it matters: France is building sovereign space SIGINT after years of reliance on US and allied feeds — a strategic bet that electromagnetic intelligence from orbit will matter as much as imagery in contested environments.