A small country, a big step into space
Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in Europe, has taken a giant step — on Thursday evening, its first NAOS reconnaissance satellite was launched into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This is not just a scientific project. This is an application for participation in global space surveillance. At the same time, the country has neither a space program like the United States or China, nor its own aerospace industry.
But Luxembourg decided: if you can't build everything yourself, assemble the best in the world and do it under your own flag.
NAOS: optics from Israel, assembly in Italy, money from Luxembourg
The NAOS (New Space-based Observatory for Surveillance) satellite is the result of international cooperation. Its platform was built by the German-Italian company OHB, but the "eyes" — a high—precision optical camera - was supplied by the Israeli defense corporation Elbit Systems. Israel has long been considered one of the leaders in the production of reconnaissance optics, and choosing in its favor is a logical step for those who want to get clear images from orbit.
The entire project is funded by the Luxembourg government and is estimated at 168 million euros. This is serious money for a country with a population of 680,000 people and an army of 1,000 fighters.
Why does an army of 1,000 people need a satellite?
At first glance, it looks strange. But it's not about the army, it's about the data. Luxembourg is a financial center, and it is critically important for it to see what is happening in the world. Climate change, migration flows, environmental disasters, instability in other regions — all this affects the economy and security.
Its satellite gives the country independent access to the images. Previously, we had to buy them from other countries or commercial companies. Now you can plan the shooting for your own tasks, not depend on other people's priorities and receive information at the right time.
A new level of space partnership
NAOS is not just a technical project. This is an example of a new model: small states go into space not alone, but through deep partnership. They buy technologies from leading players, combine them and create their own systems.
For Israel, this is another success in exporting defense technology. For Italy, it is a confirmation of its role in the European space industry. And for Luxembourg, it is the beginning of a new chapter: the country is turning from a passive consumer of data into an active participant in space exploration.
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