Artist’s rendition of a Cosmo Skymed satellite. Photo: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI )

[Via Satellite 10-17-2014] Thales Alenia Space will create a Common Interoperability Layer (CIL) between France’s Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) military system and Italy’s civil/military Second-Generation Cosmo-SkyMed (CSG) satellite constellations. The agreement ensures interoperability between user ground systems for CSO and CSG Systems as part of the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS) program.

The MUSIS Federating Activities Phase B2 contract, worth close to $3.2 million, consolidates the previous Phase B1 and is to provide definitive technical characteristics as well as a detailed cost analysis. Thales Alenia Space Italia has signed a contract with the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR-EA) to start phase B2.

Thales Alenia Space was also made the representative for the Temporary Business Grouping, which includes Airbus Defense and Space, for MUSIS Phase B1. The company will represent grouping in engaging OCCAR-EA, and is responsible for the technical coordination of the study.