Toulouse, May 6, 2026
Magellium Artal Group and Loft Orbital France are set to provide France with Earth observation capabilities featuring a revisit rate unprecedented in Europe
- Magellium Artal Group will develop a sovereign solution operated on its own infrastructure. The Sol Image segment will process the optical space data acquired by the onboard payloads.
- Magellium Artal Group is also responsible for calibrating the payloads during flight acceptance testing, as well as for monitoring image quality (calibration and validation) throughout the constellation’s operational life.
- Loft Orbital is responsible for the manufacturing, deployment, testing, and operation of its YAC4 constellation.
The MS-HR project under the France 2030 program
Magellium Artal Group and Loft Orbital announce their partnership as part of the MS-HR (Multi-Spectral – High-Resolution) project, an Earth observation program for the French government.
The goal: to deploy a constellation of satellites capable of observing the same point on Earth several times a day, compared to once a week currently for a low-Earth orbit satellite.
Scheduled to last six years, the project will rely on Loft Orbital’s YAC4 constellation, consisting of 10 satellites equipped with cameras and multispectral optical sensors. This observation capability will significantly improve the accuracy of analyses for numerous institutional applications.
Data to Address Current Challenges
Thanks to their onboard cameras, the satellites will be able to collect data useful for civilian and institutional purposes, such as monitoring crops, analyzing water quality, studying land use, and urban mapping.
The high revisit rate will also help strengthen surveillance and decision-support capabilities in a variety of scenarios, such as natural disaster management, environmental protection, and defense and security missions.
Complementary industrial cooperation
Loft Orbital is taking a novel approach with a versatile satellite architecture. The satellites will be equipped with several complementary sensors: optical, thermal, infrared, hyperspectral, and radio frequency. This architecture will enable multiple levels of interpretation and more detailed analysis.
Magellium Artal Group’s mission is to develop and operate the ground-based imaging segment, which will enable the conversion of collected optical data into image products for institutional users. The group will also be responsible for in-orbit calibration of the payloads during flight acceptance testing and for monitoring image quality throughout the constellation’s lifecycle.
This project marks a significant milestone for Magellium Artal Group, as it demonstrates the company’s autonomy in this new solution. Indeed, for the first time, the company will operate its ground segment within its own infrastructure, a testament to the confidence placed in its expertise in processing Earth observation data.
About Magellium Artal Group
Magellium Artal Group is a mid-sized company with over 300 engineers and PhDs that provides its clients with high-value-added software, technical, and scientific solutions for both civilian and military applications. With 10% of its revenue dedicated to R&D, its commitment to innovation has shaped its reputation among major national, European, and international players.
Press contact: Alain LAPEYRE – alain.lapeyre@magellium.fr – +33 6 89 57 05 11
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You can view the press release in PDF format here.
