Organised by the French Ministry of Defence, the 4th Defence Innovation Forum (FID) was held from 23 to 25 November 2023 at Porte de Versailles in Paris. This was a unique opportunity for public and professional visitors to learn about various defence and innovation projects from key players such as the French Space Command (CDE).

The aim of the event is to showcase the innovative projects of players in the sector and to provide a better understanding of the major challenges facing defence innovation, such as: artificial intelligence, quantum technology and energy efficiency. Around a hundred innovation projects were presented in five themed areas:

• Assert leadership, prevail on all fronts;
• Support, anytime, anywhere;
• Transform, innovate to perform;
• Anticipate by creating sector prospects;
• Conquer and invest in new areas.

Out of the nine projects presented under the ‘Space - New space’ theme, Space Command operators were present at the event, in the ‘Conquering, invest in new areas’ section, to present the four they are implementing:

• YODA, a program of patrolling satellites in geostationary orbit,
• LISA 1, electromagnetic intelligence nanosatellites,
• Mil IOT, Earth and Space message transmission systems,
• NEMESIS, for New MEthodology for Space Information System, a digital experiment in defence space innovation for operational staff.

They enthusiastically exchanged views with the French Minister of Defence, the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces and the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force during their visit. The goal was to sparkle their eyes !

During the dedicated industry professionals days, the CDE also organised a debate on defence space innovation and attended a discussion on "Earth Observation: dual constellations?" (available here)

For more information, follow this link !