AsterX

AsterX was created in 2021 as the first exercise of its kind for the French armed forces and the first in Europe. Its aim is the training of the units of French Space Command (CDE) in military space operations in a simulated but realistic environment. AsterX has now become an annual event aimed at enhancing the reliability of operational processes, increasing the familiarization of the armed forces with the space domain and, finally, developing the capabilities of the CDE’s personnel in military space operations in an international multi-domain environment.

AsterX 2021

AsterX was the first military space exercise in Europe and was the first military space exercise in Europe organized by French Space Command (CDE), a formation of the French Air and Space Force created in 2020. The exercise was conducted at the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) in Toulouse, France, from March 8th to 12th, 2021.

The exercise involved the participation of all three operational units of CDE, namely the Command and Control Centre for Space Operations (C3OS) in Paris, the Satellite Observation Military Centre (CMOS) in Creil and the Operational Centre for Military Surveillance of Space Objects (COSMOS) in Lyon. These units all worked on the same shared platform in close cooperation with the CNES, defence industry and German and American partners. Reinforcement of cooperation in the space domain is a key priority for ensuring the peaceful and responsible use of space and for dealing with emergent threats.

This tactical and operational exercise focused on space surveillance, C2 and maintaining satellites in position. The simulated but realistic scenario for the exercise covered an extremely broad range of threats to all our space assets, demonstrating the highly advanced technical capabilities of the French Air and Space Force and of the CNES in the space domain.  The exercise used an innovative and unique simulation platform implemented in coordination with the National Aerospace Lab (ONERA), the CNES and defence industry partners. This simulator combined a database composed of 10,000 space objects with 5 operational applications, the generation of 18 space events and an original time management system that compressed 4 real weeks into 4 days of training.

The name “AsterX” was not  random choice, it is a reference to the first French satellite launched by the Diamant rocket.

AsterX 2022

The AsterX 2022 French military space exercise was conducted from February 24th to March 4th, 2022, at “Cité de l’Espace” (Space City) in Toulouse. This second edition emphasized European and international cooperation.

The AsterX 2022 exercise involved the generation of16 space events. These events were more complex than in the previous edition and concerned all earth orbits - low, medium, elliptical and geostationary. Two events also demanded close and direct coordination between CDE, the Command and Control Centre for Military Space Operations (C3OS) and the Operations Planning and Control Centre (CAPCO) of the Air Defence and Air Operations Command (CDAOA).Industrial partners and trusted operators contributing to the support of military space operations were fully integrated into the implementation of the exercise alongside CDE. Finally, the realism of the exercise was intensified by the in-situ participation of representatives from the French Military Intelligence Directorate (DRM), the CYBER cell of the CDAOA and the Joint Forces Directorate for Defence Infrastructure Networks and Information Systems (DIRISI).

AsterX 2022 ended on March 4th with a “VIP Day” in the presence of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly. To mark the French presidency of the Council of the European Union, the 2022 edition of AsterX was extended to the member states of the European Union and to France’s major partners in the military space domain. In this context, the defence ministers of the EU, high-ranking authorities from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and European institutions, together with senior representatives of the participating nations were invited to the closing day of the exercise. This closing day was officially held under the auspices of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As such, AsterX 2022 contributed to the promotion of a shared understanding of the challenges of the European military space domain. In particular, the “VIP Day” provided the opportunity to highlight France’s expertise in the military space domain and to confirm the major role of France in the European space community.

AsterX 2023

AsterX 2023 is a military space exercise with ambitious objectives. It enables to train the units of French Space Command (CDE) in space surveillance and the protection of national space assets and to test the structure and connectivity of future military space
operations C2 in an Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) context. AsterX is an exercice which validate operating concepts and coordination with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and our industrial partners, as well as it develop and reinforce joint operations in cooperation with our international partners.

AsterX 2023 is based on a realistic and complex environment with :

• A fictional geopolitical situation inspired by current and future threats.
• A major high-intensity engagement scenario covering the full spectrum of MDO.
• A simulated space environment with thousands of space objects in every possible orbit.
• A scenario comprising 23 space events.
• A technical platform comprising the full range of civilian and military systems.

This exercise is focused on integration, interoperability and cooperation. It involves the presence of different stakeholders, which are the space units and operators of French Space Command, the relevant components of the French Army, Air and Space Force, Navy and Cyber Defence as well as the French Directorate for Military Intelligence (DRM) and Directorate for Defence Infrastructure Networks and Information Systems (DIRISI). Edition partners are also civilian and foreign with the CNES, space industry and foreign partners.

One of the specific features of this 3rd edition of AsterX was its integration into the Orion exercise.

AsterX 2024

The AsterX 2024 exercise involved almost 140 military and civilian participants over a two-week period in tactical and operational training for space operations. During the livex period (scripted exercise time), the participants worked in a complex and credible simulated environment on the site of the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES).

This year's exercise took place in the geopolitical context of 'Orion' - a major joint exercise aimed at large-scale combat training involving all areas and fields of conflict. During this immersion, the participants were confronted with the whole spectrum of space warfare: from the restriction of their freedom of action to the tactical and technical constraints of a battle simultaneously mobilising all areas of conflict. The scenario included 23 space events, in all orbits, with 4,000 simulated space objects to deal with 14 different types of threat.

AsterX 2024 was particularly international, with foreign military personnel from 15 nations taking part (USA, Romania, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Australia, South Korea, UAE, Germany, Canada, Poland and Austria). So 27 foreign players were fully integrated into the simulated command structure alongside French Space Command units. Some 30 observer countries also came to the exercise site. The aim was to encourage the development of interoperability and a common culture of space operations, as well as contributing to the strengthening of strategic solidarity between the French and allied armies.

The CDE's institutional partners (CNES, COE and ONERA) and its industrial partners (AGENIUM, ArianeGroup, Crisotech, Exotrail, SAFRAN, Sopra Stéria, MBDA) remained fully committed to the exercise. Together, these players from diverse backgrounds have confronted emerging threats to develop a common culture of military space operations, the foundation of strengthened strategic solidarity.

AsterX illustrates France's leading role in military space and its ability to mobilise its partners around common threats. Cooperation in space is a major challenge. Solidarity in the face of increasingly numerous and varied threats is a definite strategic advantage: this is the spirit and purpose of the AsterX exercise.