Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN1130
2009-09-11 16:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH FORWARD
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 001130
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2034
TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, KS, FR, GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH
FORWARD
REF: A. BERLIN 1116
B. BERLIN 1080
C. BERLIN 1049
D. BERLIN 765
E. BERLIN 601
F. BERLIN 561
G. BERLIN 181
H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 001130
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2034
TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, KS, FR, GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH
FORWARD
REF: A. BERLIN 1116
B. BERLIN 1080
C. BERLIN 1049
D. BERLIN 765
E. BERLIN 601
F. BERLIN 561
G. BERLIN 181
H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is continuing
on its aggressive path to fly a High Resolution Optical
Satellite (HiROS) imaging system by 2013, despite an
uncertain funding future and an apparent lack of political
consensus in the current Grand-Coalition government. If the
CDU/CSU Union can forge a new coalition with the Free
Democratic Party (FDP) this September, support for HiROS will
likely solidify. In the meantime, DLR is taking prudent
steps to ensure HiROS technical requirements have been met.
END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) EconOff accompanied NGA representatives to meet
with DLR representatives at their Adlershof facility in
Berlin to discuss the future of the German HiROS program.
DLR was represented by Dr. Andreas Eckardt, Adlershof Head of
Optical Sensors and Electronics, and Mr. Frank Lehmann, Head
of Sensor Concepts and Applications at the Institute of
Robotics and Mechatronics.
DLR STILL LOOKING FOR HIROS FUNDING
--------------
3. (C) Eckardt opened the meeting saying, "We are currently
looking for financial support from Germany on HiROS." He
said that, in order for HiROS to proceed to Phase C and start
the procurement process, they will need secured funding;
until then, &in reality HiROS is not even an official
project.8 Eckardt said DLR is hopeful that upon
demonstrating technical feasibility and pending the outcome
of the German general elections this September, HiROS will
glide into Phases C and D in 2010 and be deployable in 2013.
(COMMENT: Concurrent with this meeting, Eckardt was briefing
"German officials" in another room on the HiROS Phase B
progress - presumably in an effort to secure government
funding/support. END COMMENT)
DLR IS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR EO TECHNOLOGY
--------------
4. (C) DLR's plans for HiROS go beyond establishing a remote
sensing competency to complement their
Synthetic-Aperture-Radar (SAR) programs. They plan to become
world leaders in commercial space-based Electro-Optical (EO)
imagery, while incorporating infra-red imaging capabilities.
Eckardt said although the planned Ground Resolved Distance
(GRD) for HiROS is 50 cm, DLR believes they have the
technology in hand to go down to 25-40 cm. The decision to
go with a 50 cm GRD is motivated by the desire to export
HiROS data while avoiding export control restrictions.
5. (C) Eckardt said HiROS will incorporate two thermal
sensors: one 5-6 meter GRD long-wave sensor, and a 4-5 meter
GRD mid-wave sensor. Eckardt admitted that DLR is conducting
classified research into the possibility of building a
three-meter aperture telescope mirror that would not be made
of silicon carbide, but of a "brand new material" (NFI).
(COMMENT: Eckardt seemed to suggest that HiROS is part of a
larger, long-term German plan to secure technical dominance
in the worldwide space-based EO arena. END COMMENT)
6. (C) Eckardt described DLR's responsibilities for the
HiROS proposal as constructing the HiROS instruments,
sensors, and focal plane as well as the ground segment. In
addition, DLR would develop mission software and image
processing algorithms. German industry would be responsible
BERLIN 00001130 002 OF 003
for building the spacecraft bus and other mission segments,
where both Astrium (Friedrichshafen) and OHB-System would
have roles. Eckardt said Jena Optronik would provide new
star-tracking cameras for HiROS for improved control and
accuracy.
DLR CONCERNED ABOUT ITAR RESTRICTIONS WITH US COMPONENTS
-------------- --------------
7. (C) Eckardt said DLR would like to procure US-origin
control motion gyroscopes (CMGs) and radiation-hardened
integrated circuits (ICs) from US vendors, but is concerned
that ITAR restrictions would inject too much procurement risk
into the HiROS proposal. Eckardt mentioned the US companies
Northrop Grumman (CMGs) and Fairchild Semiconductor (ICs)
specifically as desirable sources of HiROS components.
Eckardt said if ITAR restrictions appear too problematic,
they would likely turn to French suppliers. Eckardt
emphasized that this was not his preference because, "as a
scientist, I just want the best components."
DLR'S KOREAN CONNECTION FUELING HIROS R&D
--------------
8. (C) DLR's motivation to develop HiROS emerged from a 2006
partnership with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute
(KARI),where DLR provided sensors, collection instruments,
and other mission critical equipment (effectively everything
except for the satellite bus) for KARI's KOMPSAT-3 a
high-resolution lightweight earth observation satellite.
This partnership, in cooperation with German industry at
Astrium in Friedrichshafen and Jena Optronik, essentially
funded DLR's HiROS research and development. Eckardt said
DLR is already working on instruments for the next generation
KARI earth-observation satellites, KOMPSAT-6 and -7, with a
planned EO GRD of 25 cm.
DLR CALLS KARI A GOOD FRIEND, BUT WARY OF TECHNOLOGY LEAKS
-------------- --------------
9. (C) Eckardt spoke glowingly of DLR's cooperation with
KARI and called the director of KARI's Satellite Office,
Joo-Jin Lee, "a good friend." Eckardt said DLR's cooperation
with KARI has progressed to the point where scientific
exchange is under way with two KARI scientists working
full-time at DLR's Berlin-Adlershof facility. Eckardt,
pausing for a moment while describing this relationship,
emphasized that DLR considers the area where KARI officials
are working to be "older technology" and would not pose an
"unauthorized technology transfer risk." He added, "we are
being careful to keep all the cutting edge technologies to
ourselves."
DIGITAL GLOBE TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH WITH HIROS
-------------- --------------
10. (C) Digital Globe (DG) CEO, Dr. Walter Scott, confirmed
DG's participation in DLR's Phase B technical feasibility
study, but further participation in HiROS is contingent on
obstacles that DLR must overcome. The technical questions
Scott said DG needs answered are: (1) will HiROS have
suitable technical performance for DG's needs and (2) what
will the HiROS concept of operations look like in terms of
the licensing regime. Scott also said DLR would need to
demonstrate adequate financial/political support from the
German government for HiROS. Scott said if DLR can alleviate
these concerns, the next step would be negotiations on the
economic terms under which DG would acquire capacity in the
HiROS system.
11. (C) Scott sees DG involvement with HiROS as a win/win
situation for DLR and DG, as well as for the German and US
governments. Scott said DG would primarily gain imaging
capacity and revisit rate, while Germany would potentially
gain access to the US market, a funding partner, and an
BERLIN 00001130 003 OF 003
additional means of technical risk reduction. Scott feels
from the USG remote sensing perspective, HiROS would mitigate
risk against having yet another capable foreign competitor
emerge.
COMMENT
--------------
12. (C) With the German general election approaching
quickly, HiROS's prospects will likely appear clearer by the
end of the year. While technical considerations do not
appear problematic, political/financial concerns seem to be
the main hurdle ahead for HiROS viability. In 2006, France
and Germany merged their space programs with a gentleman's
agreement not to step on each other,s turf--the Germans
would handle SAR and the French EO. However, the French have
since then partnered with the Italians, who have their own
indigenous space-based SAR -- COSMOS-SKYMED, and are
leveraging this relationship to market their EO commercial
system packaged with COSMOS-SKYMED to worldwide governments.
These moves do not sit well with either German commercial
space-radar vendors or DLR. HiROS could offer them an
offsetting opportunity.
Murphy
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER
STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2034
TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, KS, FR, GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH
FORWARD
REF: A. BERLIN 1116
B. BERLIN 1080
C. BERLIN 1049
D. BERLIN 765
E. BERLIN 601
F. BERLIN 561
G. BERLIN 181
H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is continuing
on its aggressive path to fly a High Resolution Optical
Satellite (HiROS) imaging system by 2013, despite an
uncertain funding future and an apparent lack of political
consensus in the current Grand-Coalition government. If the
CDU/CSU Union can forge a new coalition with the Free
Democratic Party (FDP) this September, support for HiROS will
likely solidify. In the meantime, DLR is taking prudent
steps to ensure HiROS technical requirements have been met.
END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) EconOff accompanied NGA representatives to meet
with DLR representatives at their Adlershof facility in
Berlin to discuss the future of the German HiROS program.
DLR was represented by Dr. Andreas Eckardt, Adlershof Head of
Optical Sensors and Electronics, and Mr. Frank Lehmann, Head
of Sensor Concepts and Applications at the Institute of
Robotics and Mechatronics.
DLR STILL LOOKING FOR HIROS FUNDING
--------------
3. (C) Eckardt opened the meeting saying, "We are currently
looking for financial support from Germany on HiROS." He
said that, in order for HiROS to proceed to Phase C and start
the procurement process, they will need secured funding;
until then, &in reality HiROS is not even an official
project.8 Eckardt said DLR is hopeful that upon
demonstrating technical feasibility and pending the outcome
of the German general elections this September, HiROS will
glide into Phases C and D in 2010 and be deployable in 2013.
(COMMENT: Concurrent with this meeting, Eckardt was briefing
"German officials" in another room on the HiROS Phase B
progress - presumably in an effort to secure government
funding/support. END COMMENT)
DLR IS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR EO TECHNOLOGY
--------------
4. (C) DLR's plans for HiROS go beyond establishing a remote
sensing competency to complement their
Synthetic-Aperture-Radar (SAR) programs. They plan to become
world leaders in commercial space-based Electro-Optical (EO)
imagery, while incorporating infra-red imaging capabilities.
Eckardt said although the planned Ground Resolved Distance
(GRD) for HiROS is 50 cm, DLR believes they have the
technology in hand to go down to 25-40 cm. The decision to
go with a 50 cm GRD is motivated by the desire to export
HiROS data while avoiding export control restrictions.
5. (C) Eckardt said HiROS will incorporate two thermal
sensors: one 5-6 meter GRD long-wave sensor, and a 4-5 meter
GRD mid-wave sensor. Eckardt admitted that DLR is conducting
classified research into the possibility of building a
three-meter aperture telescope mirror that would not be made
of silicon carbide, but of a "brand new material" (NFI).
(COMMENT: Eckardt seemed to suggest that HiROS is part of a
larger, long-term German plan to secure technical dominance
in the worldwide space-based EO arena. END COMMENT)
6. (C) Eckardt described DLR's responsibilities for the
HiROS proposal as constructing the HiROS instruments,
sensors, and focal plane as well as the ground segment. In
addition, DLR would develop mission software and image
processing algorithms. German industry would be responsible
BERLIN 00001130 002 OF 003
for building the spacecraft bus and other mission segments,
where both Astrium (Friedrichshafen) and OHB-System would
have roles. Eckardt said Jena Optronik would provide new
star-tracking cameras for HiROS for improved control and
accuracy.
DLR CONCERNED ABOUT ITAR RESTRICTIONS WITH US COMPONENTS
-------------- --------------
7. (C) Eckardt said DLR would like to procure US-origin
control motion gyroscopes (CMGs) and radiation-hardened
integrated circuits (ICs) from US vendors, but is concerned
that ITAR restrictions would inject too much procurement risk
into the HiROS proposal. Eckardt mentioned the US companies
Northrop Grumman (CMGs) and Fairchild Semiconductor (ICs)
specifically as desirable sources of HiROS components.
Eckardt said if ITAR restrictions appear too problematic,
they would likely turn to French suppliers. Eckardt
emphasized that this was not his preference because, "as a
scientist, I just want the best components."
DLR'S KOREAN CONNECTION FUELING HIROS R&D
--------------
8. (C) DLR's motivation to develop HiROS emerged from a 2006
partnership with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute
(KARI),where DLR provided sensors, collection instruments,
and other mission critical equipment (effectively everything
except for the satellite bus) for KARI's KOMPSAT-3 a
high-resolution lightweight earth observation satellite.
This partnership, in cooperation with German industry at
Astrium in Friedrichshafen and Jena Optronik, essentially
funded DLR's HiROS research and development. Eckardt said
DLR is already working on instruments for the next generation
KARI earth-observation satellites, KOMPSAT-6 and -7, with a
planned EO GRD of 25 cm.
DLR CALLS KARI A GOOD FRIEND, BUT WARY OF TECHNOLOGY LEAKS
-------------- --------------
9. (C) Eckardt spoke glowingly of DLR's cooperation with
KARI and called the director of KARI's Satellite Office,
Joo-Jin Lee, "a good friend." Eckardt said DLR's cooperation
with KARI has progressed to the point where scientific
exchange is under way with two KARI scientists working
full-time at DLR's Berlin-Adlershof facility. Eckardt,
pausing for a moment while describing this relationship,
emphasized that DLR considers the area where KARI officials
are working to be "older technology" and would not pose an
"unauthorized technology transfer risk." He added, "we are
being careful to keep all the cutting edge technologies to
ourselves."
DIGITAL GLOBE TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH WITH HIROS
-------------- --------------
10. (C) Digital Globe (DG) CEO, Dr. Walter Scott, confirmed
DG's participation in DLR's Phase B technical feasibility
study, but further participation in HiROS is contingent on
obstacles that DLR must overcome. The technical questions
Scott said DG needs answered are: (1) will HiROS have
suitable technical performance for DG's needs and (2) what
will the HiROS concept of operations look like in terms of
the licensing regime. Scott also said DLR would need to
demonstrate adequate financial/political support from the
German government for HiROS. Scott said if DLR can alleviate
these concerns, the next step would be negotiations on the
economic terms under which DG would acquire capacity in the
HiROS system.
11. (C) Scott sees DG involvement with HiROS as a win/win
situation for DLR and DG, as well as for the German and US
governments. Scott said DG would primarily gain imaging
capacity and revisit rate, while Germany would potentially
gain access to the US market, a funding partner, and an
BERLIN 00001130 003 OF 003
additional means of technical risk reduction. Scott feels
from the USG remote sensing perspective, HiROS would mitigate
risk against having yet another capable foreign competitor
emerge.
COMMENT
--------------
12. (C) With the German general election approaching
quickly, HiROS's prospects will likely appear clearer by the
end of the year. While technical considerations do not
appear problematic, political/financial concerns seem to be
the main hurdle ahead for HiROS viability. In 2006, France
and Germany merged their space programs with a gentleman's
agreement not to step on each other,s turf--the Germans
would handle SAR and the French EO. However, the French have
since then partnered with the Italians, who have their own
indigenous space-based SAR -- COSMOS-SKYMED, and are
leveraging this relationship to market their EO commercial
system packaged with COSMOS-SKYMED to worldwide governments.
These moves do not sit well with either German commercial
space-radar vendors or DLR. HiROS could offer them an
offsetting opportunity.
Murphy