Posted: Thu, Sep 13, 2007, 10:16 AM ET (1416 GMT)
Arianespace has won a contract from the French military to launch four small experimental reconnaissance satellites on a Soyuz, the company announced this week. Arianespace will launch the for ELISA (ELectronic Intelligence by SAtellite), each weighing about 135 kg, for the French Ministry of Defence on a Soyuz from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana in late 2009. The four spacecraft, operating from Sun-synchronous orbit, will be equipped with radar transmitters "to map the entire globe", according to the press release. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Related Links:

•  Thomson Financial article
•  Arianespace press release