[Satellite Today 09-05-08] The French Defence Procurement Agency awarded a support contract valued to EADS Astrium and Thales to extend the operational life of the Essaim demonstrator 18 months, Astrium announced Sept. 5
    ESSAIM, a constellation of four microsatellites placed into orbit in December 2004, was designed to analyze and map the electromagnetic environment of the Earth’s surface from space. The French armed forces also use the data. The contract is valued at 1.5 million euros ($2.2 million).
    The next spatial demonstrator, Elisa, will be produced by the same industrial consortium and is scheduled for launch in 2010.