NAOS (LUXEOSys)

NAOS [OHB]

NAOS (National Advanced Optical System) is the space component of Luxembourg's governmental dual-use observation satellite system LUXEOSys (Luxembourg Earth Observation System). Its purpose is to provide high resolution images to national and international organizations such as NATO.

Designed for governmental and military purposes, the high-resolution reconnaissance satellite will provide global coverage, being able to capture more than one hundred images per day. By collecting the satellite’s data, Luxembourg intends to participate more actively in the Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defense efforts.

This dual-use governmental system will provide imagery for a large spectrum of applications within following domains (non-exhaustive):

• defence and security applications like troop movement observation in conflict zones or boarder surveillance
• arms control treaty verification
• human catastrophies and humanitarian aid support
• natural disaster relief operations
• climate change monitoring
• monitoring of environmental migration

The 800 kg satellite will be built by OHB Italia and is equipped with a very high-resolution optical camera with a ground reolution of 50 cm in around 450 km high, sun-synchronous orbit. Orbiting the planet 15 times a day, it allows a global coverage. It will have a operational life time of 7 years.

The satellite will be operated by LUXEOPs, a formal Luxembourg Temporary Partnership founded by RHEA System Luxembourg S.A., LUXSPACE sàrl (Luxembourg), OHB Digital Connect GmbH (Germany) and RHEA System S.A. (Belgium), supporting the Luxembourg government for the operation and maintenance of the system.

NAOS was originaly to be launched in 2023 on an Arianespace Vega-C rocket into a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Due to launch vehicle issues, it was rebooked on a Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5).