Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARIS676
2009-05-18 16:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

French SPOT-4 Satellite's Near Miss of orbiting space

Tags:  MOPS TPSA TSPL FR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFR #0676 1381635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY AD6872F0 AMG0365-695)
R 181635Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6284
INFO RUEKJCS/DEPT OF DEFENSE WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 2612
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 7038
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 9140
UNCLAS PARIS 000676 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION

T for Ambassador Steve Mull and Tom Cynkin
PM for Acting A/S Frank Ruggiero
INS for Acting A/S Dr. Eliot Kang
Pass NASA Headquarters for John Hall

DOD pass AF/A30-S for Colonel John Riordan

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS TPSA TSPL MOPS FR
SUBJECT: French SPOT-4 Satellite's Near Miss of orbiting space
debris

UNCLAS PARIS 000676

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION

T for Ambassador Steve Mull and Tom Cynkin
PM for Acting A/S Frank Ruggiero
INS for Acting A/S Dr. Eliot Kang
Pass NASA Headquarters for John Hall

DOD pass AF/A30-S for Colonel John Riordan

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS TPSA TSPL MOPS FR
SUBJECT: French SPOT-4 Satellite's Near Miss of orbiting space
debris


1. (U) On Tuesday, May 12, Embassy Paris was involved in
establishing a link between the French National Center for Space
Research ("CNES") Orbit determination Operational Centre (COO) and
the U.S. Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) at Vandenberg Air
Base concerning the possible collision of the French SPOT-4 earth
imaging satellite and space debris. At 10 a.m. Paris time, the
Environment, Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) Counselor was
telephoned by the State Department Operations Center and informed of
the possible collision. Working in concert with the NASA European
Representative, and also the DOD European Space Liaison Officer,
Richard McKinney ESTH Counselor contacted the appropriate official
in CNES, who promptly asked for detailed information from JSpOC.


2. (U) Meanwhile, ESTH Counselor was also working with the State
Department Bureau of International Security and Non-Proliferation
(ISN) to grant "DIRLAUTH" (direct liaison authorization) between
JSpOC and CNES so CNES could obtain the details it needed.
Eventually, DIRLAUTH was granted, and JSpOC talked directly to CNES.
The good news is that the collision did not take place, and SPOT-4
is still imaging earth.


3. (SBU) COMMENT: Embassy was pleased to be able to assist in
facilitating communication between CNES and JSpOC Given the extent
of French space activity, and the inevitable time delays in
diplomatic communication channels, we recommend that JSpOC should
have an ongoing channel for direct communication with CNES. JPsPOC
might also consider similar channels of communication for Germany
and Italy.

Pekala