2.1.6: Helios

The French Helios satellite program (not to be confused with Germany's 1970s Helios solar probes) developed the first European spy satellite. Helios was based on the SPOT Mk 4. remote sensing bus. The program was run by DGA, the Delegation General de l'Armament, in conjunction with CNES and the operator agency EMA (Etat-major des Armees). Spain and Italy shared the data as part of the Comite' Directeur Helios I. The satellite was commanded via the ground station at Creil in France and controlled from Helios CMP at Toulouse.