France’s Defence Innovation Agency (DIA) has initiated a ground-based project aimed at bolstering the nation’s military space operations. This initiative, named the “SkyFortress Innovation Acceleration Project,” comes in response to increasing worries about the security of space infrastructure on Earth, particularly following cyberattacks on European ground stations that occurred during the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The primary goal of the SkyFortress initiative is to equip the French Armed Forces with reliable backup options for planning and executing space-related missions. The project will assess a hybrid network of ground stations to measure their effectiveness in maintaining satellite links during periods of disruption.
DIA describes this network as crucial for controlling satellites, transmitting essential data, and ensuring seamless communication between space and Earth—a requirement that is becoming increasingly vital as threats to these operations evolve. The project pursues technological innovation in this sector, anchored by a partnership with French firm Skynopy. This company has developed a sophisticated system that utilizes advanced software to facilitate the automatic selection, activation, and real-time switching between ground stations. This innovation aims to ensure uninterrupted operations even in the wake of outages or security breaches.
The initial testing phase will focus on commercial satellites, with military satellites slated for inclusion in subsequent phases. The DIA emphasized that this project aligns closely with the current priorities of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, which regards the ground segment as a vital component of national defense.
Furthermore, the SkyFortress project exemplifies the strategic integration of civilian operators into France’s space defense framework. Founded in 2023, Skynopy currently manages 17 ground stations around the globe and provides support to approximately ten satellite operators. The firm is also in the process of expanding its network through collaborations such as the AKAR project with Eutelsat, which aims to establish fast and continuous relay capabilities between Earth observation satellites across diverse frequency bands. This strategic endeavor underscores France’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities in the evolving landscape of space operations.
