INTRODUCTION: SOME WORDS ABOUT THE “CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES” (CNES)

The “Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales” (CNES), a Government body, commercial and industrial in character, is the national agency responsible for the development of French space activities. Created in December 1961, CNES exists in effect since 1st March, 1962.

Mission

CNES mission is:

1. – to analyze the long term issues and future course of space activities and to submit proposals to the French government regarding the actions and facilities required to enable France and Europe to participate in their development;

2. – to conduct, in pursuance of the French government's space policy decisions, the major development programmes undertaken as a national effort as well as some European Space Agency activities delegated to France, such as ARIANE development.

Role

In discharging its mission, CNES plays a multi-faceted role:

1. – in association with the scientific community, it implements a fundamental research programme in the space area, involving the laboratories of the “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique” (CNRS) and of the Universities.

2. – it develops supplier-customer type relationships with French users of Space: France Telecom, the Broadcasting Authority (Telediffusion de France), the Ministry of Defence, the Meteorological Office and Earth Observation users;

3. […]