Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest countries, launched its first reconnaissance satellite on Thursday night aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite, named NAOS, was placed into orbit as part of a €168 million program funded by the Luxembourg government.
With a population of 680,000 and an army of just 1,000 soldiers, Luxembourg lacks a domestic space industry. The satellite was built by Italy’s OHB, which outsourced the satellite’s camera to Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.
The Jupiter camera
Elbit’s Jupiter camera was developed by its Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Division.
Foreign sources report that the Jupiter camera provides a resolution of 50 centimeters. It features multispectral imaging with multiple channels, including black-and-white, color (red, green, and blue), and near-infrared. These allow for applications such as vegetation analysis, water content monitoring, and detection of material properties.
In addition to the camera, Elbit Systems developed algorithms to support image analysis on the ground, enhancing the satellite’s operational capabilities.
Luxembourg's government said the satellite will be used for both security and civilian purposes.