The CSO-3 satellite launch by Arianespace for France’s DGA and CNES on behalf of the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE) is scheduled for February 26, 2025

• On February 26, 2025, Arianespace will launch the CSO-3 satellite for the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) and the French space agency (CNES) on behalf of the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE), with the Ariane 62 version of Ariane 6.
• The VA263 mission will be the first commercial flight for Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher Ariane 6, after the successful inaugural flight on July 9, 2024.
• CSO-3 will be the third CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique) satellite launched by Arianespace, completing the CSO system.
• With this launch in support of French defense and the capacity requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe, meeting a strategic priority.

On February 26, 2025 at 1:24 p.m. local time (4:24 p.m. UTC, 5:24 p.m. CET), Arianespace will launch the CSO-3 satellite with Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission, called VA263, will be the first commercial flight for Ariane 6, the new European heavy-lift launcher. It will place its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of around 800 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 1 hour and 6 minutes after lift-off.

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said: “I am very pleased to announce the date of Ariane 6’s first commercial flight as I take up office. This marks the start of the Ariane 6 operating phase, and it’s an honor to open this new era for Arianespace. With this launch in support of French defense and the capability requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe, for the benefit of all our fellow citizens.”

CSO-3 is the third satellite in the DGA-led MUSIS program (Multinational Space-based Imaging System), a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes.

CSO-1 and CSO-2 were both successfully launched by Arianespace, respectively in 2018 and 2020.

The VA263 launch at a glance:

• 352^nd launch by Arianespace
• 2^nd Ariane 6 launch and 1^st commercial flight
• 3^rd CSO satellite launched by Arianespace, completing the CSO system
• 46^th satellite launched for the CNES and DGA
• 59^th defense satellite launched
• 145^th spacecraft built by Airbus Defence and Space launched by Arianespace