C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001207
SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE NSC FOR PETER MARQUEZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN SPACE AGENCY SEEKING USG SUPPORT ON OPTICAL SATELLITE COOPERATION
REF: A. BERLIN 1116 B. BERLIN 1080 C. BERLIN 1049 D. BERLIN 765 E. BERLIN 601 F. BERLIN 561 G. BERLIN 181 H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 9.
2. (C) SUMMARY: Officials from the German Space Agency (DLR) informally requested feedback regarding USG support for a US/German commercial partnership on Germanys High Resolution Optical Satellite (HiROS) imaging reconnaissance system. Assuming funding for HiROS will be approved this November, DLR is planning to begin construction of three HiROS satellites in January. DLR, a strong advocate for a HiROS partnership with US industry, said it could add an X-band transceiver dedicated for a US customer (ensuring secure and private tasking). However, DLR noted that Germany first needs some kind of near-term indication of support from the USG. They said that if provisions for an X-band antenna are not made within the next couple of months, this option would likely not be possible due to the systems aggressive project development plan. END SUMMARY
3. (C) On September 23, ISN/MDSP Deputy Director for Space Policy and EconOff met with DLR Program Director for Space, Dr. Hubert Reile, and Dr. Andreas Eckardt, Head of Optical Sensors and Electronics, to discuss opportunities for US/German cooperation on satellite programs. The meeting was organized by officials from the Friedrichshafen branch of EADS Astrium and DLR. DLRs two primary objectives for this meeting were to float the idea of combining the military aspects of the GPS and Galileo Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems under the framework of NATO (reporting SEPTEL) and to solicit USG support for cooperation on HiROS.
GERMAN ELECTION RESULTS A GOOD SIGN FOR HIROS ---------------------------------------------
4. (C) Eckardt anticipated that an official decision by the German government to fund HiROS would be made by mid-November and that its "primary customer" is adamant that construction begin in January 2010 with a planned deployment in 2013. (COMMENT: With the German general elections now in the rear view mirror, the new CDU/CSU coalition with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) will likely solidify political support for HiROS. The "primary customer" referred to by Eckardt is the German intelligence service (BND). END COMMENT) Eckardt predicted that the only thing that could derail HiROS at this point is if the German government is unable to finance the project due to constraints imposed by the financial crisis, adding his opinion that this is not likely.
DLRS VIEW OF HOW HIROS COOPERATION WOULD WORK --------------------------------------------- -
5. (C) Eckardt hoped that US and German interests would each purchase a set of three HiROS satellites, creating a combined six-satellite constellation. Each party would have primary tasking on its own set, and that excess capacity would be made available to the other party. Astrium plans on selling unused capacity in the German set commercially via its data provider InfoTerra. Eckardt said the BND only anticipates needing about 30 percent of the German systems capacity and explained that the remaining 70 percent could be available for US customers. With a six-satellite constellation, Eckardt estimated the revisit time would be about every 5-8
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hours, depending on the constellation geometry and the location of the imaged area.
DLR TO THE USG - DONT LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY --------------------------------------------- ----------
6. (C) Eckardt emphasized the importance of early feedback from the USG regarding its interest in commercial cooperation on HiROS if DLR is to incorporate the specialized tasking/downlink hooks that would be needed for US customers. Germany will use a separate L-band receiver to accommodate its own needs. Eckardt said DLR is not inclined to invest resources into an X-band capability unless assurance of support is given by the USG.
7. (C) Eckardt noted the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on HiROS that DLR has with Digital Globe (DG) and that DLR would sign an MOU with Lockheed Martin on September 30. He downplayed any conflict of interest working with two US firms concurrently, noting that DG is focused on the optical capabilities of HiROS, while Lockheed Martin is primarily interested in HiROSs infrared capabilities.
BUT WAIT, THERES MORE -- REAL TIME 3D DATA PROCESSING --------------------------------------------- ---------
8. (C) Eckardt said that DLR is making considerable progress in processing optical satellite data into three-dimensional (3D) models, with a goal of doing this in real time (RT) within the next 3-5 years. He described DLR,s rapid technical progress in reducing processing time, from about an hour six-months ago to 30 minutes today. According to Eckardt, the next steps will be to create RT-3D models using radar, infrared and multi-spectral data sources. Once this is mastered, DLR will seek to fuse all imagery data together into one master 3D model.
ACTION REQUEST --------------
9. (SBU) Post requests Department guidance in responding to the German request in paragraph 6
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
S E C R E T BERLIN 001116
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPAM, JP, FR, SP, UK, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN INTELLIGENCE VIEWS ON OPTICAL RECONNAISSANCE CAPABILITIES
REF: A. BERLIN 1080 B. BERLIN 1049 C. BERLIN 765 D. BERLIN 601 E. BERLIN 561 F. BERLIN 181 G. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//NF) SUMMARY: The German Intelligence Service (BND) expressed confidence that Germanys proposal for a High Resolution Optical System (HiROS) reconnaissance satellite program "will be realized regardless of the outcome of the German general elections this month" and is advocating for a US partnership on HiROS. The BND is adamant that HiROS include infrared imaging capabilities and that they have priority tasking on at least three HiROS satellites. In a related development, the German Space Agency (DLR) is planning on signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Lockheed Martin for cooperation on HiROS on September 30 in Denver, CO.
2. (S//NF) On September 2, EconOff was provided with the notes of a meeting between Astrium Vice President for Earth Observation, Navigation on Science, Dr. Reinhold Lutz, and BND Vice President for Military Affairs, Major General Armin Hasenpusch, in which they discussed the future of the HiROS proposal. These notes contained Lutzs summary of the meeting and were sent as an email to Astrium-Satellites CEO Evert Dudok and Astrium-Services CEO Eric Beranger. (COMMENT: Astrium-Satellites Director for External Business Opportunities and DLR consultant, Tom Walati, was ccd on the email and forwarded it to EconOff (strictly protect). Walati is very motivated to promote German-U.S. cooperation on HiROS and was likely not given permission by Astrium to forward this email to a USG employee. END COMMENT) END SUMMARY
BND/ASTRIUM HIROS MEETING NOTES
-------------------------------
3. (S//NF) Begin text of informal Embassy translation of German-language meeting notes taken by Astrium Vice President for Earth Observation, Navigation and Science, Dr. Reinhold Lutz, with the subject "HiROS for the BND":
The visit of BND General Hasenpusch, his IMINT-liaison Officer, COL J.K. Trenker, and addition team members to Astrium produced the following results:
1) The BND is the official consumer for HiROS - this is politically uncontested.
2) The BND (Trenker) has concluded a complete market analysis (of HiROS) with cost/use accounting and submitted the results to the appropriate Germany agency for review.
3) The BND asked us not to act further politically (on HiROS). The decision can only be made by the next German government. (COMMENT: In reference to the post-September 27 German general elections. END COMMENT)
4) The BND is certain that HiROS will be realized - independent of the election outcome.
5) HiROS (with three satellites) by design an open system. Additional capacity (beyond BNDs needs) shall be commercially marketed. (COMMENT: "open system" in this context implies that the HiROS system architecture, as a joint government/commercial system, will be open to industry, research institutions and academia. END COMMENT)
6) Medium-wavelength infrared (MIR) and thermal-infrared (TIR) channels are essential (possibly not on every satellite). (COMMENT: the IR channels in this case refer to the 3-5 micron thermal spectrum useful for detecting various
missile burns. END COMMENT)
7) In addition to MIR and TIR, a particular unique feature of real-time three dimensional (3D) image processing is being considered with a combined system ability for five look angles per over flight. The 3D real-time software would be developed by Professor Hirzinger from the German Space Agency (DLR).
8) The BND requires HiROS tasking priority (hidden) for their own three satellites.
9) Additions to the HiROS constellation (e.g. additional satellites) through international partnership, for example with the USA, would be viewed positively so long as the condition in point (8) is preserved.
10) A partnership with an US operator would fit well within the German political landscape (this was stressed multiple times).
11) The BND is aware of the situation that South Korea has already paid the development costs that are being used for their goals. (COMMENT: The South Korean "goals" in this case refers to a partnership between DLR and the Korean Aerospace Research Institution (KARI) to develop the optical sensor capability for KOMPSAT-3 and earlier systems. The KOMPSAT-3 sensor is the base design for the sensor that would be used on HiROS. END COMMENT)
12) The BND does not share the German Ministry of Defenses (BMVg) position that the German decision to support MUSIS (and with it the concentration of BMVg competency with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) is not viewed as competition but rather as a desired complement. (COMMENT: The Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS) is a proposed EU consortium composed of France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands that would allow its members to transparently task/share space-based remote sensing assets/data to meet intelligence requirements. Under the proposal, France would be the primary contributor of optical data and Germany the primary provider of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. END COMMENT)
13) The Astrium subsidiary InfoTerra Ltd will market HiROSs commercial capacity.
(Dr. Lutz also noted the following)
In conclusion, this confident customer (the BND) has done its homework. I see the realization of HiROS as very probable.
It is important that a well coordinated action in the direction of the USA that fits well into the above be undertaken. The bigger the constellation becomes, all the more attractive the commercial potential is.
We should also discuss this with Japan. The Japanese firm PASCO has already spoken to Astrium about HiROS.
End text of informal Embassy translation.
DLR TO SIGN HIROS MOU WITH LOCKHEED ON SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------------------------------- ------
4. (S//NF) Walati said DLR is planning on sending high level representatives headed by Dr. Hubert Reile, DLR Program Director for Space, to Denver, CO on September 30 to sign a DLR/Lockheed Martin MOU on HiROS. According to Walati, Astrium-Germany and DLR, in potential partnership with OHB-System and Lockheed Martin, are offering to the UAE a HiROS system with a Ground Resolution Distance (GRD) of 50 cm. Walati said he has already received "verbal commitments" of support from the German government on this endeavor provided that OHB is involved. Walati said Lockheed is interested in building the ground segment for this system and is also interested in constructing the satellite busses.
COMMENT
-------
5. (S//NF) The BND has come to the conclusion that having complementary optical imagery along side Germanys SAR-Lupe data is essential and is actively promoting HiROS. BND advocates a HiROS partnership with the US as a way to share costs/risk and well as provide some political cover from the French. The French see HiROS as a serious threat to their commercial space ambitions and are likely working German political channels to forge support for MUSIS, thus keeping Germany dependent on France for electro-optical imagery (EO) and preventing political support for an indigenous German EO capability. Being uncomfortable relying on France for EO, this is exactly the situation the BND wants to avoid.
6. (S//NF) Lutz, a fairly high ranking Astrium official, has accepted that HiROS is likely going to happen and communicated this sentiment in his email to the French side of Astrium. It is unclear how this opinion will be received within French Astrium or how exactly they will respond to the BNDs statements. Both Lockheed and the BND emphasized the necessity of adding infra-red imaging capabilities to HiROS and DLR views this capability to be of particular interest to potential USG customers. If an MOU is signed with Lockheed Martin later this month as expected, this will represent a significant step towards HiROS becoming a bona fide program.
7. (SBU) For further information, please contact Shane M. Petersen, Email: ; SIPRNET: . Delawie
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPAM, JP, FR, SP, UK, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN INTELLIGENCE VIEWS ON OPTICAL RECONNAISSANCE CAPABILITIES
REF: A. BERLIN 1080 B. BERLIN 1049 C. BERLIN 765 D. BERLIN 601 E. BERLIN 561 F. BERLIN 181 G. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//NF) SUMMARY: The German Intelligence Service (BND) expressed confidence that Germanys proposal for a High Resolution Optical System (HiROS) reconnaissance satellite program "will be realized regardless of the outcome of the German general elections this month" and is advocating for a US partnership on HiROS. The BND is adamant that HiROS include infrared imaging capabilities and that they have priority tasking on at least three HiROS satellites. In a related development, the German Space Agency (DLR) is planning on signing a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Lockheed Martin for cooperation on HiROS on September 30 in Denver, CO.
2. (S//NF) On September 2, EconOff was provided with the notes of a meeting between Astrium Vice President for Earth Observation, Navigation on Science, Dr. Reinhold Lutz, and BND Vice President for Military Affairs, Major General Armin Hasenpusch, in which they discussed the future of the HiROS proposal. These notes contained Lutzs summary of the meeting and were sent as an email to Astrium-Satellites CEO Evert Dudok and Astrium-Services CEO Eric Beranger. (COMMENT: Astrium-Satellites Director for External Business Opportunities and DLR consultant, Tom Walati, was ccd on the email and forwarded it to EconOff (strictly protect). Walati is very motivated to promote German-U.S. cooperation on HiROS and was likely not given permission by Astrium to forward this email to a USG employee. END COMMENT) END SUMMARY
BND/ASTRIUM HIROS MEETING NOTES
-------------------------------
3. (S//NF) Begin text of informal Embassy translation of German-language meeting notes taken by Astrium Vice President for Earth Observation, Navigation and Science, Dr. Reinhold Lutz, with the subject "HiROS for the BND":
The visit of BND General Hasenpusch, his IMINT-liaison Officer, COL J.K. Trenker, and addition team members to Astrium produced the following results:
1) The BND is the official consumer for HiROS - this is politically uncontested.
2) The BND (Trenker) has concluded a complete market analysis (of HiROS) with cost/use accounting and submitted the results to the appropriate Germany agency for review.
3) The BND asked us not to act further politically (on HiROS). The decision can only be made by the next German government. (COMMENT: In reference to the post-September 27 German general elections. END COMMENT)
4) The BND is certain that HiROS will be realized - independent of the election outcome.
5) HiROS (with three satellites) by design an open system. Additional capacity (beyond BNDs needs) shall be commercially marketed. (COMMENT: "open system" in this context implies that the HiROS system architecture, as a joint government/commercial system, will be open to industry, research institutions and academia. END COMMENT)
6) Medium-wavelength infrared (MIR) and thermal-infrared (TIR) channels are essential (possibly not on every satellite). (COMMENT: the IR channels in this case refer to the 3-5 micron thermal spectrum useful for detecting various
missile burns. END COMMENT)
7) In addition to MIR and TIR, a particular unique feature of real-time three dimensional (3D) image processing is being considered with a combined system ability for five look angles per over flight. The 3D real-time software would be developed by Professor Hirzinger from the German Space Agency (DLR).
8) The BND requires HiROS tasking priority (hidden) for their own three satellites.
9) Additions to the HiROS constellation (e.g. additional satellites) through international partnership, for example with the USA, would be viewed positively so long as the condition in point (8) is preserved.
10) A partnership with an US operator would fit well within the German political landscape (this was stressed multiple times).
11) The BND is aware of the situation that South Korea has already paid the development costs that are being used for their goals. (COMMENT: The South Korean "goals" in this case refers to a partnership between DLR and the Korean Aerospace Research Institution (KARI) to develop the optical sensor capability for KOMPSAT-3 and earlier systems. The KOMPSAT-3 sensor is the base design for the sensor that would be used on HiROS. END COMMENT)
12) The BND does not share the German Ministry of Defenses (BMVg) position that the German decision to support MUSIS (and with it the concentration of BMVg competency with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) is not viewed as competition but rather as a desired complement. (COMMENT: The Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS) is a proposed EU consortium composed of France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands that would allow its members to transparently task/share space-based remote sensing assets/data to meet intelligence requirements. Under the proposal, France would be the primary contributor of optical data and Germany the primary provider of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. END COMMENT)
13) The Astrium subsidiary InfoTerra Ltd will market HiROSs commercial capacity.
(Dr. Lutz also noted the following)
In conclusion, this confident customer (the BND) has done its homework. I see the realization of HiROS as very probable.
It is important that a well coordinated action in the direction of the USA that fits well into the above be undertaken. The bigger the constellation becomes, all the more attractive the commercial potential is.
We should also discuss this with Japan. The Japanese firm PASCO has already spoken to Astrium about HiROS.
End text of informal Embassy translation.
DLR TO SIGN HIROS MOU WITH LOCKHEED ON SEPTEMBER 30
--------------------------------------------- ------
4. (S//NF) Walati said DLR is planning on sending high level representatives headed by Dr. Hubert Reile, DLR Program Director for Space, to Denver, CO on September 30 to sign a DLR/Lockheed Martin MOU on HiROS. According to Walati, Astrium-Germany and DLR, in potential partnership with OHB-System and Lockheed Martin, are offering to the UAE a HiROS system with a Ground Resolution Distance (GRD) of 50 cm. Walati said he has already received "verbal commitments" of support from the German government on this endeavor provided that OHB is involved. Walati said Lockheed is interested in building the ground segment for this system and is also interested in constructing the satellite busses.
COMMENT
-------
5. (S//NF) The BND has come to the conclusion that having complementary optical imagery along side Germanys SAR-Lupe data is essential and is actively promoting HiROS. BND advocates a HiROS partnership with the US as a way to share costs/risk and well as provide some political cover from the French. The French see HiROS as a serious threat to their commercial space ambitions and are likely working German political channels to forge support for MUSIS, thus keeping Germany dependent on France for electro-optical imagery (EO) and preventing political support for an indigenous German EO capability. Being uncomfortable relying on France for EO, this is exactly the situation the BND wants to avoid.
6. (S//NF) Lutz, a fairly high ranking Astrium official, has accepted that HiROS is likely going to happen and communicated this sentiment in his email to the French side of Astrium. It is unclear how this opinion will be received within French Astrium or how exactly they will respond to the BNDs statements. Both Lockheed and the BND emphasized the necessity of adding infra-red imaging capabilities to HiROS and DLR views this capability to be of particular interest to potential USG customers. If an MOU is signed with Lockheed Martin later this month as expected, this will represent a significant step towards HiROS becoming a bona fide program.
7. (SBU) For further information, please contact Shane M. Petersen, Email: ; SIPRNET: . Delawie
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 000601
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, FR, KZ, AE, TU, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN COMPANY MARKETING SATELLITE IMAGERY TO US DESPITE FRENCH OPPOSITION
REF: A. BERLIN 181 B. BERLIN 561 C. 08 BERLIN 1575 D. 08 BERLIN 1537
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Germanys plans to develop a space-based High Resolution Optical System (HiROS) capability by 2013 stand to challenge Frances dominance of European space-based electro-optical (EO) collection. The German portion of EADS Astrium (Friedrichshafen), in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the German Space Agency (DLR), is co-developing HiROS and sees an opportunity to market HiROS, as well as space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) products, to the US market. According to an Astrium-Friedrichshafen official, the Government of France (GoF) will use its influence in Astrium -- as the majority share holder -- to halt development of HiROS in order to protect French commercial EO ambitions. Astrium-Friedrichshafen/DLR are actively courting USG support for HiROS as a potential counter to French HiROS opposition and are proposing a June meeting in Washington with USG officials for further discussion. END SUMMARY
GERMANY DEVELOPING HIROS DESPITE FRENCH OPPOSITION --------------------------------------------- -----
2. (C) On 28 January 2009, Dr. Andreas Eckardt, DLR Head of Optical Sensors and Electronics, told EconOff that absolutely no cooperation with France nor any other EU country is planned for the HiROS project, but that he saw cooperation with the US firm Digital Globe (DG) as a real possibility. According to Eckardt, Germany has wanted to embark on European Space Agency (ESA) projects in the past to help develop an indigenous high-resolution EO competency, but were always outmaneuvered by the French (Thales Alenia/Astrium-Toulouse) in the bidding process, citing "financial subsidies from the French government." In addition, Eckardt insinuated that Astrium-Toulouse and Thales Alenia have taken pains to ensure that sensitive EO technology stays in France. For these reasons, as Eckardt explained, Germany has been pushed into a corner by France and left little choice but to "go it alone within the EU" if they wish to break from foreign dependence on EO imagery - an apparent priority for the German government.
3. (C) Thomas Walati, Astrium-Friedrichshafen sales associate and DLR consultant, echoed Eckardts sentiments in an Embassy meeting on May 5, adding that Paris has directly instructed Astrium-Friedrichshafen to stop the HiROS program. Walati said that the French see HiROS as a direct competitor with Pleiades, a French/Italian combination EO/radar commercial satellite system scheduled for launch at the beginning of 2010. Walati said &the French are using all available means8 to kill HiROS, speculating that their main weapon may be an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between France Thales and Astrium, establishing Thales as the prime contractor for EO satellite payloads. In addition, Walati said that the French-influenced Astrium firing/reassignment of Astrium-Friedrichshafen employees is a common tactic the GoF uses to ensure certain technologies stay within France.
FENDING OFF THE FRENCH ----------------------
4. (C) Without going into details, Walati claimed that a German/US cooperative agreement on HiROS would fend off the French opposition. He stressed that the French seek to monopolize the world market for commercial EO imagery and that a German/American alliance on HiROS would be vital to ward off a French EO commercial takeover.
FRANCE SWEETENS THE DEAL ------------------------
BERLIN 00000601 002 OF 003
5. (C) Walati said Paris continues to "subsidize" French firms, bids to sell French imagery and/or complete satellite systems and are offering prospective customers "incentive packages." As an example, Walati claimed that the French are poised to win a bid to sell the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two 50-centimeter resolution EO satellites, beating out a US contractor bid with a complex "sweetened deal" that would involve deploying 1,000 French troops to the UAE. According to Walati, the French troops would carry with them "defense equipment" that they would simply "leave behind in the UAE" when they return to France (NFI). Walati added that the French recently won a bid to supply Kazakhstan firm, Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, with two "earth-observation satellites" to be built by Astrium-Toulouse/Thales) and are working on a similar deal with the government of Turkey. He said the French are targeting the US market next. Walati opined that Frances recent re-engagement with NATO was part of a strategy to gain increased market access for French satellite equipment and derived data.
EFFECT ON THE EU DEFENSE SATELLITE CONSORTIUM "MUSIS" --------------------------------------------- --------
6. (C) Germany,s development of an autonomous HiROS system could reduce their need to participate in the Multinational Space-Based Imaging System (MUSIS). In Walatis words, "if HiROS goes though, the significance of MUSIS will vanish." (COMMENT: MUSIS is an EU consortium including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and Spain that is designed to share costs of space assets and to combine space imagery competencies through an imagery sharing agreement. END COMMENT) On the other hand, Walati said that the French are huge supporters of MUSIS, as it would further establish France as the primary supplier of EO imagery to the EU. When asked how the French would view HiROS development and its implications on MUSIS, Eckardt said "As you know, the French already have a SAR system developed, they just need to launch it."
DLR/ASTRIUM LOOKING TO THE US FOR POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP --------------------------------------------- ---------
7. (C) Eckardt and Dr. Cornelia Riess, DLR Head of International Cooperation, said that DLR is pressing forward in Phase B of the HiROS project and is looking toward US industry as a potential partner. Eckardt and Walati said that the US is seen as the only viable international partner for HiROS and underscored their trust in the US, respect for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as the deciding factor. According to a DG official, DG is also interested in collaborative research with DLR on HiROS product development, particularly in the area of three-dimensional (3D) visualization. They envision this as a way to augment DGs current and future generations of EO constellations, WorldView-1 and WorldView-2. (COMMENT: 3D visualization is a unique capability that DLR is developing, processing three simultaneous look-angles from HiROS at the same geographic location to create three dimensional images. END COMMENT)
ASTRIUMS SALES PITCH TO THE U.S. ---------------------------------
8. (C) If German/American cooperation can be worked out on HiROS, Walati envisions that Astrium-Friedrichshafen/DLR would build three satellites with a US company such as DG, purchasing an additional three satellites with a price tag of about 100 million euro per satellite - to be delivered on orbit. Walati then offered the possibility of combining these systems to form a co-financed six-satellite constellation (to achieve higher revisit rate), in which both countries would task their own satellites but the imagery could be shared. Walati extended this idea to include a similar German/American collaboration procuring Infoterra (an Astrium-Friedrichshafen subsidiary)- sourced SAR satellites. Walati said that any satellite system the US would purchase from Germany would need to be manufactured in Germany and emphasized that, unlike France, Germany is open to using US
BERLIN 00000601 003 OF 003
components and not/not aiming for an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free design. Walati expressed a desire to organize a meeting between DLR and USG officials in Washington in June 2009 to discuss US equities/interest in: A) Astrium SAR X- and L-band satellites, B) HiROS, and C) German 3D hardware/software products for use with EO and/or radar data.
COMMENT ---------
9. (C) Although HiROS is not yet a funded program, Astrium-Friedrichshafen and DLR are aggressively marketing it with the goal of a completed system by 2013 for two primary reasons: to compete commercially with the French and to take advantage of a one year overlap with Germanys TanDEM-X radar mission (SEE REF A). Astrium and DLR realize that the 2013 schedule is ambitious and see a partnership with DG as a logical, risk-mitigating step to speed development, control cost, and secure financing. It is also notable that, although many counties were considered for collaboration on HiROS, DLR only felt comfortable reaching out to the US. Koenig
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, FR, KZ, AE, TU, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN COMPANY MARKETING SATELLITE IMAGERY TO US DESPITE FRENCH OPPOSITION
REF: A. BERLIN 181 B. BERLIN 561 C. 08 BERLIN 1575 D. 08 BERLIN 1537
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Germanys plans to develop a space-based High Resolution Optical System (HiROS) capability by 2013 stand to challenge Frances dominance of European space-based electro-optical (EO) collection. The German portion of EADS Astrium (Friedrichshafen), in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the German Space Agency (DLR), is co-developing HiROS and sees an opportunity to market HiROS, as well as space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) products, to the US market. According to an Astrium-Friedrichshafen official, the Government of France (GoF) will use its influence in Astrium -- as the majority share holder -- to halt development of HiROS in order to protect French commercial EO ambitions. Astrium-Friedrichshafen/DLR are actively courting USG support for HiROS as a potential counter to French HiROS opposition and are proposing a June meeting in Washington with USG officials for further discussion. END SUMMARY
GERMANY DEVELOPING HIROS DESPITE FRENCH OPPOSITION --------------------------------------------- -----
2. (C) On 28 January 2009, Dr. Andreas Eckardt, DLR Head of Optical Sensors and Electronics, told EconOff that absolutely no cooperation with France nor any other EU country is planned for the HiROS project, but that he saw cooperation with the US firm Digital Globe (DG) as a real possibility. According to Eckardt, Germany has wanted to embark on European Space Agency (ESA) projects in the past to help develop an indigenous high-resolution EO competency, but were always outmaneuvered by the French (Thales Alenia/Astrium-Toulouse) in the bidding process, citing "financial subsidies from the French government." In addition, Eckardt insinuated that Astrium-Toulouse and Thales Alenia have taken pains to ensure that sensitive EO technology stays in France. For these reasons, as Eckardt explained, Germany has been pushed into a corner by France and left little choice but to "go it alone within the EU" if they wish to break from foreign dependence on EO imagery - an apparent priority for the German government.
3. (C) Thomas Walati, Astrium-Friedrichshafen sales associate and DLR consultant, echoed Eckardts sentiments in an Embassy meeting on May 5, adding that Paris has directly instructed Astrium-Friedrichshafen to stop the HiROS program. Walati said that the French see HiROS as a direct competitor with Pleiades, a French/Italian combination EO/radar commercial satellite system scheduled for launch at the beginning of 2010. Walati said &the French are using all available means8 to kill HiROS, speculating that their main weapon may be an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between France Thales and Astrium, establishing Thales as the prime contractor for EO satellite payloads. In addition, Walati said that the French-influenced Astrium firing/reassignment of Astrium-Friedrichshafen employees is a common tactic the GoF uses to ensure certain technologies stay within France.
FENDING OFF THE FRENCH ----------------------
4. (C) Without going into details, Walati claimed that a German/US cooperative agreement on HiROS would fend off the French opposition. He stressed that the French seek to monopolize the world market for commercial EO imagery and that a German/American alliance on HiROS would be vital to ward off a French EO commercial takeover.
FRANCE SWEETENS THE DEAL ------------------------
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5. (C) Walati said Paris continues to "subsidize" French firms, bids to sell French imagery and/or complete satellite systems and are offering prospective customers "incentive packages." As an example, Walati claimed that the French are poised to win a bid to sell the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two 50-centimeter resolution EO satellites, beating out a US contractor bid with a complex "sweetened deal" that would involve deploying 1,000 French troops to the UAE. According to Walati, the French troops would carry with them "defense equipment" that they would simply "leave behind in the UAE" when they return to France (NFI). Walati added that the French recently won a bid to supply Kazakhstan firm, Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, with two "earth-observation satellites" to be built by Astrium-Toulouse/Thales) and are working on a similar deal with the government of Turkey. He said the French are targeting the US market next. Walati opined that Frances recent re-engagement with NATO was part of a strategy to gain increased market access for French satellite equipment and derived data.
EFFECT ON THE EU DEFENSE SATELLITE CONSORTIUM "MUSIS" --------------------------------------------- --------
6. (C) Germany,s development of an autonomous HiROS system could reduce their need to participate in the Multinational Space-Based Imaging System (MUSIS). In Walatis words, "if HiROS goes though, the significance of MUSIS will vanish." (COMMENT: MUSIS is an EU consortium including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and Spain that is designed to share costs of space assets and to combine space imagery competencies through an imagery sharing agreement. END COMMENT) On the other hand, Walati said that the French are huge supporters of MUSIS, as it would further establish France as the primary supplier of EO imagery to the EU. When asked how the French would view HiROS development and its implications on MUSIS, Eckardt said "As you know, the French already have a SAR system developed, they just need to launch it."
DLR/ASTRIUM LOOKING TO THE US FOR POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP --------------------------------------------- ---------
7. (C) Eckardt and Dr. Cornelia Riess, DLR Head of International Cooperation, said that DLR is pressing forward in Phase B of the HiROS project and is looking toward US industry as a potential partner. Eckardt and Walati said that the US is seen as the only viable international partner for HiROS and underscored their trust in the US, respect for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as the deciding factor. According to a DG official, DG is also interested in collaborative research with DLR on HiROS product development, particularly in the area of three-dimensional (3D) visualization. They envision this as a way to augment DGs current and future generations of EO constellations, WorldView-1 and WorldView-2. (COMMENT: 3D visualization is a unique capability that DLR is developing, processing three simultaneous look-angles from HiROS at the same geographic location to create three dimensional images. END COMMENT)
ASTRIUMS SALES PITCH TO THE U.S. ---------------------------------
8. (C) If German/American cooperation can be worked out on HiROS, Walati envisions that Astrium-Friedrichshafen/DLR would build three satellites with a US company such as DG, purchasing an additional three satellites with a price tag of about 100 million euro per satellite - to be delivered on orbit. Walati then offered the possibility of combining these systems to form a co-financed six-satellite constellation (to achieve higher revisit rate), in which both countries would task their own satellites but the imagery could be shared. Walati extended this idea to include a similar German/American collaboration procuring Infoterra (an Astrium-Friedrichshafen subsidiary)- sourced SAR satellites. Walati said that any satellite system the US would purchase from Germany would need to be manufactured in Germany and emphasized that, unlike France, Germany is open to using US
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components and not/not aiming for an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free design. Walati expressed a desire to organize a meeting between DLR and USG officials in Washington in June 2009 to discuss US equities/interest in: A) Astrium SAR X- and L-band satellites, B) HiROS, and C) German 3D hardware/software products for use with EO and/or radar data.
COMMENT ---------
9. (C) Although HiROS is not yet a funded program, Astrium-Friedrichshafen and DLR are aggressively marketing it with the goal of a completed system by 2013 for two primary reasons: to compete commercially with the French and to take advantage of a one year overlap with Germanys TanDEM-X radar mission (SEE REF A). Astrium and DLR realize that the 2013 schedule is ambitious and see a partnership with DG as a logical, risk-mitigating step to speed development, control cost, and secure financing. It is also notable that, although many counties were considered for collaboration on HiROS, DLR only felt comfortable reaching out to the US. Koenig
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001080 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2033 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, RS, CH, GM SUBJECT: GERMANY TO FRANCE: STAY OUT OF OUR COMMERCIAL SATELLITE AFFAIRS
REF: A. BERLIN 1049 B. BERLIN 765 C. BERLIN 601 D. BERLIN 561 E. BERLIN 181 F. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is taking steps to repel French interference in Germanys electro-optical (EO) imagery satellite development by forming strategic partnerships with satellite makers OHB-System AG and the German portion of Astrium in Friedrichshafen. The DLR is concerned that French influence in Astrium is steering Astrium-Friedrichshafen in ways favoring the French commercial space industry and not in DLRs best interest. As an example, Astrium recently transferred management of its subsidiary responsible for commercial satellite imagery marketing/distribution, InfoTerra Ltd, away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen to Astrium- SPOT Image S.A. in Toulouse, France. To counter this trend, DLR plans to make Astriums industry rival, OHB-System, the prime on some future contracts, thereby minimizing French influence (and delighting OHB-System shareholders). According to an Astrium employee, DLRs CEO recently sent a letter to the President of EADS Astrium Transportation, informing him of DLRs intentions to not/not include French-Astrium on a future commercial satellite bid in Kazakhstan. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Astrium Friedrichshafen official and DLR consultant, Tom Walati (please strictly protect) described Germanys plans for a High Resolution Optical Satellite (HiROS) and efforts to find US partners. (COMMENT: While Walatis information is clearly intended to influence as well as inform, we have seen no instances to date that his information was not credible. END COMMENT) Walati described French efforts to halt DLRs HiROS proposal as "fierce and persistent due to its potential competition with French industry." In addition to using OHB-System as a prime on future contracts, Walati said DLR and Astrium Friedrichshafen see a strategic partnership with US interests as the key element to shield German satellite programs from French influence.
DLR MESSAGE TO ASTRIUM: STAY OUT OF GERMAN SATELLITE AFFAIRS
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
3. (C) Walati said that on August 11, DLR CEO Dr. Johann-Dietrich Woerner sent a letter to Evert Dudok, President of EADS Astrium Space Transportation, informing Astrium of DLRs intention to bid on a project in Kazakhstan offering a HiROS system, a hyper-spectral imagery satellite system, and training. According to Walati, DLR made it clear in the letter that the German firm OHB System would be listed as the prime contractor, with Astrium Friedrichshafen listed as a subcontractor. In addition, the letter reportedly conveyed DLRs assertion that there would be absolutely no French involvement in this project proposal. (COMMENT: We assess that the DLR letter has more to do with Germany sending a message to France to quit meddling its their satellite business than it does with the Germans competing with France on a satellite package bid to Kazakhstan. END COMMENT.)
FRANCE ALREADY MOVING GERMAN CHESS PIECES WITHIN ASTRIUM
--------------------------------------------- -----------
4. (C) According to Walati, InfoTerra GmbH, a German daughter company of Astrium Satellites which is responsible for distributing Astrium geospatial products and services, is a recent victim of French-induced "restructuring." He said Astrium recently transferred management of InfoTerra away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen to Astrium- SPOT Image S.A. in Toulouse, France. As part of this reorganization, Astrium demoted InfoTerra Managing Director, Joerg Herrmann and replaced him with Mr. Vark Helfritz. Walati said the reason Astrium gave for the reorganization was dissatisfaction with
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InfoTerras progress.
5. (C) When InfoTerra was spun-off from Astrium Services to be the official distributor of Astrium geospatial data, Astrium reportedly gave Herrmann about three years to generate enough revenue selling data to fund research and development for future satellite systems. He indicated Astrium management has been seeking ways to wrestle InfoTerra away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen and that the "dissatisfaction" with InfoTerras progress is simply an excuse for something they had already been planning. (COMMENT: Herrmann told EconOff earlier this year his company turned a modest profit in 2008 and expected this trend to continue in 2009. END COMMENT) Murphy
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2033 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, RS, CH, GM SUBJECT: GERMANY TO FRANCE: STAY OUT OF OUR COMMERCIAL SATELLITE AFFAIRS
REF: A. BERLIN 1049 B. BERLIN 765 C. BERLIN 601 D. BERLIN 561 E. BERLIN 181 F. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is taking steps to repel French interference in Germanys electro-optical (EO) imagery satellite development by forming strategic partnerships with satellite makers OHB-System AG and the German portion of Astrium in Friedrichshafen. The DLR is concerned that French influence in Astrium is steering Astrium-Friedrichshafen in ways favoring the French commercial space industry and not in DLRs best interest. As an example, Astrium recently transferred management of its subsidiary responsible for commercial satellite imagery marketing/distribution, InfoTerra Ltd, away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen to Astrium- SPOT Image S.A. in Toulouse, France. To counter this trend, DLR plans to make Astriums industry rival, OHB-System, the prime on some future contracts, thereby minimizing French influence (and delighting OHB-System shareholders). According to an Astrium employee, DLRs CEO recently sent a letter to the President of EADS Astrium Transportation, informing him of DLRs intentions to not/not include French-Astrium on a future commercial satellite bid in Kazakhstan. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Astrium Friedrichshafen official and DLR consultant, Tom Walati (please strictly protect) described Germanys plans for a High Resolution Optical Satellite (HiROS) and efforts to find US partners. (COMMENT: While Walatis information is clearly intended to influence as well as inform, we have seen no instances to date that his information was not credible. END COMMENT) Walati described French efforts to halt DLRs HiROS proposal as "fierce and persistent due to its potential competition with French industry." In addition to using OHB-System as a prime on future contracts, Walati said DLR and Astrium Friedrichshafen see a strategic partnership with US interests as the key element to shield German satellite programs from French influence.
DLR MESSAGE TO ASTRIUM: STAY OUT OF GERMAN SATELLITE AFFAIRS
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
3. (C) Walati said that on August 11, DLR CEO Dr. Johann-Dietrich Woerner sent a letter to Evert Dudok, President of EADS Astrium Space Transportation, informing Astrium of DLRs intention to bid on a project in Kazakhstan offering a HiROS system, a hyper-spectral imagery satellite system, and training. According to Walati, DLR made it clear in the letter that the German firm OHB System would be listed as the prime contractor, with Astrium Friedrichshafen listed as a subcontractor. In addition, the letter reportedly conveyed DLRs assertion that there would be absolutely no French involvement in this project proposal. (COMMENT: We assess that the DLR letter has more to do with Germany sending a message to France to quit meddling its their satellite business than it does with the Germans competing with France on a satellite package bid to Kazakhstan. END COMMENT.)
FRANCE ALREADY MOVING GERMAN CHESS PIECES WITHIN ASTRIUM
--------------------------------------------- -----------
4. (C) According to Walati, InfoTerra GmbH, a German daughter company of Astrium Satellites which is responsible for distributing Astrium geospatial products and services, is a recent victim of French-induced "restructuring." He said Astrium recently transferred management of InfoTerra away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen to Astrium- SPOT Image S.A. in Toulouse, France. As part of this reorganization, Astrium demoted InfoTerra Managing Director, Joerg Herrmann and replaced him with Mr. Vark Helfritz. Walati said the reason Astrium gave for the reorganization was dissatisfaction with
BERLIN 00001080 002 OF 002
InfoTerras progress.
5. (C) When InfoTerra was spun-off from Astrium Services to be the official distributor of Astrium geospatial data, Astrium reportedly gave Herrmann about three years to generate enough revenue selling data to fund research and development for future satellite systems. He indicated Astrium management has been seeking ways to wrestle InfoTerra away from Astrium-Friedrichshafen and that the "dissatisfaction" with InfoTerras progress is simply an excuse for something they had already been planning. (COMMENT: Herrmann told EconOff earlier this year his company turned a modest profit in 2008 and expected this trend to continue in 2009. END COMMENT) Murphy
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000561
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, FR, GM SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY EXPANDING OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS AND EYE CLOSER USG PARTNERSHIP
REF: A. 08 BERLIN 1537 B. 08 BERLIN 1575 C. BERLIN 181
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//NF) SUMMARY: Germany is taking concrete steps to achieve a full-spectrum, overhead reconnaissance capability by adding a space-based HIgh Resolution Optical System (HiROS) to their already impressive suite of space-based radar and multi-spectral systems. The German Government believes that full spectrum overhead reconnaissance is an effective force multiplier, provides an instrument of national power, and politically frees Germany from dependence on foreign sources of imagery. Germany anticipates that their emergence as a world leader in overhead reconnaissance will generate interest from the USG and envisions an expansion of the intelligence relationship. END SUMMARY
2. (S//NF) On 8 April 2009, US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) officers met with German Intelligence Service (BND) officials to discuss Germanys plans for expanded nationally operated overhead reconnaissance resources. These meetings included a working lunch with BND Senior Vice President Arndt Freytag Freiherr von Loringhoven, and a working level meeting with BND Directorate UF Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)) officials led by Luftwaffe Colonel Joachim Karl Trenker. Other BND attendees included Bundeswehr Colonel Gross, Bundeswehr Lieutenant Colonel Frank Richter, Navy Captain zur See Hoffheinz, and the BND Deputy Head of Liaison for Berlin Lieutenant Colonel Sven Fleissig.
HIROS IS CRITICAL FOR INTELLIGENCE AND GOOD FOR JOBS
--------------------------------------------- -------
3. (S//NF) Over the past three years, Germany has successfully fielded an impressive array of space-based radar and multispectral collectors and this success has prompted them to fill out their spectrum coverage to include an optical (HiROS) capability. Furthermore, developing a German national overhead reconnaissance capability offers the opportunity to create desirable high profile, sector-specific technology jobs and expand value-added technology exports. The BND indicated that the final decision to appropriate funding for the HiROS program would likely not be made until after the September 27, 2009 German general elections. The BND is highly confident, given their knowledge of available funding and political support, that the HiROS plan will get the go-ahead.
GERMANYS HIROS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
-----------------------------------
4. (S//NF) Germany intends to develop HiROS through a DLR (German Space Agency) /EADS Astrium public private partnership (PPP). The division of EADS Astrium that would build HiROS is the German-only InfoTerra GmbH, which has also built German space-based radar satellite systems, TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellites (Ref B). To minimize possible political backlash from developing HiROS as an intelligence satellite, the program will be managed by a civil agency, possibly the Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). For political optics, the satellites themselves would be operated by a "commercial entity" created specifically for this purpose, but with tasking managed/controlled/coordinated by BND. Commercial imagery sales are envisioned to help offset program development costs. BND managers are adamant that the imagery must be unclassified to enable maximum utility.
5. (S//NF) As envisioned, HiROS would consist of three electro-optical (EO) satellites and may also incorporate an infra-red (IR) sensor capability. BND is proposing an EO sensor capable of 0.5 meter resolution (1.1 meter diameter mirror) and a daily revisit capability for any spot on the Earths surface. The BND said this sensor would incorporate "smart stereo" capabilities, which is a critical technological feature that would aid in real-time, three dimensional data set production.
BERLIN 00000561 002 OF 002
GERMANY OPTS FOR LOWER RESOLUTION TO AVOID EXPORT RESTRICTION
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
6. (S//NF) Germany chose 0.5 meter resolution for their HiROS based on a balance of cost factors and their ability to commercially export HiROS data. The BND stated that some elements of the German military want a higher resolution capability (possibly 0.41 meter or better), but indicated that this is not in the current plan. Germany,s domestic restrictions on the export of high resolution imagery (Satellitendatensicherheitsgestz) and their sensitivities to the United States remote sensing policy (which limits commercial EO imagery to 0.5 meter) were instrumental factors influencing Germany,s desire to export high resolution EO data while minimizing export restrictions. In addition, higher EO resolution would drive instrument costs up, increase the size/weight of the satellites, and potentially prolong the development time for HiROS.
GERMANY SEES REAL VALUE IN 3D POST-PROCESSING
---------------------------------------------
7. (S//NF) The real value that Germany sees in an indigenous HiROS system stems not only from the data independence it would offer, but also from what they envision doing with the data. Currently, Germany has imagery processing software, developed by DLR, that provides high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) data sets from their indigenous space-based radar imagery and from procured HiROS imagery. Germany anticipates that DLR will evolve the processing of 3D data sets to near real-time. (COMMENT: NGA officers assess that with the launch of the TanDEM-X satellite in Fall 2009 and the proposed launch of HiROS in 2013-2014, Germany could ultimately dominate the world wide market for commercially available optical and SAR-based terrain data. END COMMENT)
GERMANY EYES CLOSER GEOINT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USG
--------------------------------------------- -------
8. (S//NF) The BND stressed that having their own national space-based reconnaissance assets will enable them to be a better partner with the USG by bringing more unique value to the table. The BND indicated that they are anxious to precede with additional high value substantive joint projects with the USG and hope that through a closer imagery exchange relationship, Germany could fill some of their collection gaps by gaining access to US imagery covering Iran, North Korea, China, and the Haqqani Network in the AFPAK region. Also of note, the BND also wants to work with the USG on GEOINT issues of mutual interest in Africa. (COMMENT: This sentiment was reiterated by von Loringhoven during the working lunch. END COMMENT) NGA officers responded that USG cooperation on additional joint projects would hinge upon the German sides ability to bring unique data sources and information to the table. Koenig
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, FR, GM SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY EXPANDING OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS AND EYE CLOSER USG PARTNERSHIP
REF: A. 08 BERLIN 1537 B. 08 BERLIN 1575 C. BERLIN 181
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S//NF) SUMMARY: Germany is taking concrete steps to achieve a full-spectrum, overhead reconnaissance capability by adding a space-based HIgh Resolution Optical System (HiROS) to their already impressive suite of space-based radar and multi-spectral systems. The German Government believes that full spectrum overhead reconnaissance is an effective force multiplier, provides an instrument of national power, and politically frees Germany from dependence on foreign sources of imagery. Germany anticipates that their emergence as a world leader in overhead reconnaissance will generate interest from the USG and envisions an expansion of the intelligence relationship. END SUMMARY
2. (S//NF) On 8 April 2009, US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) officers met with German Intelligence Service (BND) officials to discuss Germanys plans for expanded nationally operated overhead reconnaissance resources. These meetings included a working lunch with BND Senior Vice President Arndt Freytag Freiherr von Loringhoven, and a working level meeting with BND Directorate UF Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)) officials led by Luftwaffe Colonel Joachim Karl Trenker. Other BND attendees included Bundeswehr Colonel Gross, Bundeswehr Lieutenant Colonel Frank Richter, Navy Captain zur See Hoffheinz, and the BND Deputy Head of Liaison for Berlin Lieutenant Colonel Sven Fleissig.
HIROS IS CRITICAL FOR INTELLIGENCE AND GOOD FOR JOBS
--------------------------------------------- -------
3. (S//NF) Over the past three years, Germany has successfully fielded an impressive array of space-based radar and multispectral collectors and this success has prompted them to fill out their spectrum coverage to include an optical (HiROS) capability. Furthermore, developing a German national overhead reconnaissance capability offers the opportunity to create desirable high profile, sector-specific technology jobs and expand value-added technology exports. The BND indicated that the final decision to appropriate funding for the HiROS program would likely not be made until after the September 27, 2009 German general elections. The BND is highly confident, given their knowledge of available funding and political support, that the HiROS plan will get the go-ahead.
GERMANYS HIROS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
-----------------------------------
4. (S//NF) Germany intends to develop HiROS through a DLR (German Space Agency) /EADS Astrium public private partnership (PPP). The division of EADS Astrium that would build HiROS is the German-only InfoTerra GmbH, which has also built German space-based radar satellite systems, TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellites (Ref B). To minimize possible political backlash from developing HiROS as an intelligence satellite, the program will be managed by a civil agency, possibly the Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). For political optics, the satellites themselves would be operated by a "commercial entity" created specifically for this purpose, but with tasking managed/controlled/coordinated by BND. Commercial imagery sales are envisioned to help offset program development costs. BND managers are adamant that the imagery must be unclassified to enable maximum utility.
5. (S//NF) As envisioned, HiROS would consist of three electro-optical (EO) satellites and may also incorporate an infra-red (IR) sensor capability. BND is proposing an EO sensor capable of 0.5 meter resolution (1.1 meter diameter mirror) and a daily revisit capability for any spot on the Earths surface. The BND said this sensor would incorporate "smart stereo" capabilities, which is a critical technological feature that would aid in real-time, three dimensional data set production.
BERLIN 00000561 002 OF 002
GERMANY OPTS FOR LOWER RESOLUTION TO AVOID EXPORT RESTRICTION
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
6. (S//NF) Germany chose 0.5 meter resolution for their HiROS based on a balance of cost factors and their ability to commercially export HiROS data. The BND stated that some elements of the German military want a higher resolution capability (possibly 0.41 meter or better), but indicated that this is not in the current plan. Germany,s domestic restrictions on the export of high resolution imagery (Satellitendatensicherheitsgestz) and their sensitivities to the United States remote sensing policy (which limits commercial EO imagery to 0.5 meter) were instrumental factors influencing Germany,s desire to export high resolution EO data while minimizing export restrictions. In addition, higher EO resolution would drive instrument costs up, increase the size/weight of the satellites, and potentially prolong the development time for HiROS.
GERMANY SEES REAL VALUE IN 3D POST-PROCESSING
---------------------------------------------
7. (S//NF) The real value that Germany sees in an indigenous HiROS system stems not only from the data independence it would offer, but also from what they envision doing with the data. Currently, Germany has imagery processing software, developed by DLR, that provides high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) data sets from their indigenous space-based radar imagery and from procured HiROS imagery. Germany anticipates that DLR will evolve the processing of 3D data sets to near real-time. (COMMENT: NGA officers assess that with the launch of the TanDEM-X satellite in Fall 2009 and the proposed launch of HiROS in 2013-2014, Germany could ultimately dominate the world wide market for commercially available optical and SAR-based terrain data. END COMMENT)
GERMANY EYES CLOSER GEOINT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USG
--------------------------------------------- -------
8. (S//NF) The BND stressed that having their own national space-based reconnaissance assets will enable them to be a better partner with the USG by bringing more unique value to the table. The BND indicated that they are anxious to precede with additional high value substantive joint projects with the USG and hope that through a closer imagery exchange relationship, Germany could fill some of their collection gaps by gaining access to US imagery covering Iran, North Korea, China, and the Haqqani Network in the AFPAK region. Also of note, the BND also wants to work with the USG on GEOINT issues of mutual interest in Africa. (COMMENT: This sentiment was reiterated by von Loringhoven during the working lunch. END COMMENT) NGA officers responded that USG cooperation on additional joint projects would hinge upon the German sides ability to bring unique data sources and information to the table. Koenig
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 001130
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, KS, FR, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH FORWARD
REF: A. BERLIN 1116 B. BERLIN 1080 C. BERLIN 1049 D. BERLIN 765 E. BERLIN 601 F. BERLIN 561 G. BERLIN 181 H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is continuing on its aggressive path to fly a High Resolution Optical Satellite (HiROS) imaging system by 2013, despite an uncertain funding future and an apparent lack of political consensus in the current Grand-Coalition government. If the CDU/CSU Union can forge a new coalition with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) this September, support for HiROS will likely solidify. In the meantime, DLR is taking prudent steps to ensure HiROS technical requirements have been met. END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) EconOff accompanied NGA representatives to meet with DLR representatives at their Adlershof facility in Berlin to discuss the future of the German HiROS program. DLR was represented by Dr. Andreas Eckardt, Adlershof Head of Optical Sensors and Electronics, and Mr. Frank Lehmann, Head of Sensor Concepts and Applications at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics.
DLR STILL LOOKING FOR HIROS FUNDING
-----------------------------------
3. (C) Eckardt opened the meeting saying, "We are currently looking for financial support from Germany on HiROS." He said that, in order for HiROS to proceed to Phase C and start the procurement process, they will need secured funding; until then, &in reality HiROS is not even an official project.8 Eckardt said DLR is hopeful that upon demonstrating technical feasibility and pending the outcome of the German general elections this September, HiROS will glide into Phases C and D in 2010 and be deployable in 2013. (COMMENT: Concurrent with this meeting, Eckardt was briefing "German officials" in another room on the HiROS Phase B progress - presumably in an effort to secure government funding/support. END COMMENT)
DLR IS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR EO TECHNOLOGY
------------------------------------------
4. (C) DLRs plans for HiROS go beyond establishing a remote sensing competency to complement their Synthetic-Aperture-Radar (SAR) programs. They plan to become world leaders in commercial space-based Electro-Optical (EO) imagery, while incorporating infra-red imaging capabilities. Eckardt said although the planned Ground Resolved Distance (GRD) for HiROS is 50 cm, DLR believes they have the technology in hand to go down to 25-40 cm. The decision to go with a 50 cm GRD is motivated by the desire to export HiROS data while avoiding export control restrictions.
5. (C) Eckardt said HiROS will incorporate two thermal sensors: one 5-6 meter GRD long-wave sensor, and a 4-5 meter GRD mid-wave sensor. Eckardt admitted that DLR is conducting classified research into the possibility of building a three-meter aperture telescope mirror that would not be made of silicon carbide, but of a "brand new material" (NFI). (COMMENT: Eckardt seemed to suggest that HiROS is part of a larger, long-term German plan to secure technical dominance in the worldwide space-based EO arena. END COMMENT)
6. (C) Eckardt described DLRs responsibilities for the HiROS proposal as constructing the HiROS instruments, sensors, and focal plane as well as the ground segment. In addition, DLR would develop mission software and image processing algorithms. German industry would be responsible
BERLIN 00001130 002 OF 003
for building the spacecraft bus and other mission segments, where both Astrium (Friedrichshafen) and OHB-System would have roles. Eckardt said Jena Optronik would provide new star-tracking cameras for HiROS for improved control and accuracy.
DLR CONCERNED ABOUT ITAR RESTRICTIONS WITH US COMPONENTS
--------------------------------------------- -----------
7. (C) Eckardt said DLR would like to procure US-origin control motion gyroscopes (CMGs) and radiation-hardened integrated circuits (ICs) from US vendors, but is concerned that ITAR restrictions would inject too much procurement risk into the HiROS proposal. Eckardt mentioned the US companies Northrop Grumman (CMGs) and Fairchild Semiconductor (ICs) specifically as desirable sources of HiROS components. Eckardt said if ITAR restrictions appear too problematic, they would likely turn to French suppliers. Eckardt emphasized that this was not his preference because, "as a scientist, I just want the best components."
DLRS KOREAN CONNECTION FUELING HIROS R&D
-----------------------------------------
8. (C) DLRs motivation to develop HiROS emerged from a 2006 partnership with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), where DLR provided sensors, collection instruments, and other mission critical equipment (effectively everything except for the satellite bus) for KARIs KOMPSAT-3 a high-resolution lightweight earth observation satellite. This partnership, in cooperation with German industry at Astrium in Friedrichshafen and Jena Optronik, essentially funded DLRs HiROS research and development. Eckardt said DLR is already working on instruments for the next generation KARI earth-observation satellites, KOMPSAT-6 and -7, with a planned EO GRD of 25 cm.
DLR CALLS KARI A GOOD FRIEND, BUT WARY OF TECHNOLOGY LEAKS
--------------------------------------------- -------------
9. (C) Eckardt spoke glowingly of DLRs cooperation with KARI and called the director of KARIs Satellite Office, Joo-Jin Lee, "a good friend." Eckardt said DLRs cooperation with KARI has progressed to the point where scientific exchange is under way with two KARI scientists working full-time at DLRs Berlin-Adlershof facility. Eckardt, pausing for a moment while describing this relationship, emphasized that DLR considers the area where KARI officials are working to be "older technology" and would not pose an "unauthorized technology transfer risk." He added, "we are being careful to keep all the cutting edge technologies to ourselves."
DIGITAL GLOBE TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH WITH HIROS
--------------------------------------------- ----------
10. (C) Digital Globe (DG) CEO, Dr. Walter Scott, confirmed DGs participation in DLRs Phase B technical feasibility study, but further participation in HiROS is contingent on obstacles that DLR must overcome. The technical questions Scott said DG needs answered are: (1) will HiROS have suitable technical performance for DGs needs and (2) what will the HiROS concept of operations look like in terms of the licensing regime. Scott also said DLR would need to demonstrate adequate financial/political support from the German government for HiROS. Scott said if DLR can alleviate these concerns, the next step would be negotiations on the economic terms under which DG would acquire capacity in the HiROS system.
11. (C) Scott sees DG involvement with HiROS as a win/win situation for DLR and DG, as well as for the German and US governments. Scott said DG would primarily gain imaging capacity and revisit rate, while Germany would potentially gain access to the US market, a funding partner, and an
BERLIN 00001130 003 OF 003
additional means of technical risk reduction. Scott feels from the USG remote sensing perspective, HiROS would mitigate risk against having yet another capable foreign competitor emerge.
COMMENT
-------
12. (C) With the German general election approaching quickly, HiROSs prospects will likely appear clearer by the end of the year. While technical considerations do not appear problematic, political/financial concerns seem to be the main hurdle ahead for HiROS viability. In 2006, France and Germany merged their space programs with a gentlemans agreement not to step on each other,s turf--the Germans would handle SAR and the French EO. However, the French have since then partnered with the Italians, who have their own indigenous space-based SAR -- COSMOS-SKYMED, and are leveraging this relationship to market their EO commercial system packaged with COSMOS-SKYMED to worldwide governments. These moves do not sit well with either German commercial space-radar vendors or DLR. HiROS could offer them an offsetting opportunity. Murphy
SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2034 TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, IT, KS, FR, GM SUBJECT: GERMAN OPTICAL SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING: THE PATH FORWARD
REF: A. BERLIN 1116 B. BERLIN 1080 C. BERLIN 1049 D. BERLIN 765 E. BERLIN 601 F. BERLIN 561 G. BERLIN 181 H. 08 BERLIN 1575
Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The German Space Agency (DLR) is continuing on its aggressive path to fly a High Resolution Optical Satellite (HiROS) imaging system by 2013, despite an uncertain funding future and an apparent lack of political consensus in the current Grand-Coalition government. If the CDU/CSU Union can forge a new coalition with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) this September, support for HiROS will likely solidify. In the meantime, DLR is taking prudent steps to ensure HiROS technical requirements have been met. END SUMMARY
2. (SBU) EconOff accompanied NGA representatives to meet with DLR representatives at their Adlershof facility in Berlin to discuss the future of the German HiROS program. DLR was represented by Dr. Andreas Eckardt, Adlershof Head of Optical Sensors and Electronics, and Mr. Frank Lehmann, Head of Sensor Concepts and Applications at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics.
DLR STILL LOOKING FOR HIROS FUNDING
-----------------------------------
3. (C) Eckardt opened the meeting saying, "We are currently looking for financial support from Germany on HiROS." He said that, in order for HiROS to proceed to Phase C and start the procurement process, they will need secured funding; until then, &in reality HiROS is not even an official project.8 Eckardt said DLR is hopeful that upon demonstrating technical feasibility and pending the outcome of the German general elections this September, HiROS will glide into Phases C and D in 2010 and be deployable in 2013. (COMMENT: Concurrent with this meeting, Eckardt was briefing "German officials" in another room on the HiROS Phase B progress - presumably in an effort to secure government funding/support. END COMMENT)
DLR IS CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR EO TECHNOLOGY
------------------------------------------
4. (C) DLRs plans for HiROS go beyond establishing a remote sensing competency to complement their Synthetic-Aperture-Radar (SAR) programs. They plan to become world leaders in commercial space-based Electro-Optical (EO) imagery, while incorporating infra-red imaging capabilities. Eckardt said although the planned Ground Resolved Distance (GRD) for HiROS is 50 cm, DLR believes they have the technology in hand to go down to 25-40 cm. The decision to go with a 50 cm GRD is motivated by the desire to export HiROS data while avoiding export control restrictions.
5. (C) Eckardt said HiROS will incorporate two thermal sensors: one 5-6 meter GRD long-wave sensor, and a 4-5 meter GRD mid-wave sensor. Eckardt admitted that DLR is conducting classified research into the possibility of building a three-meter aperture telescope mirror that would not be made of silicon carbide, but of a "brand new material" (NFI). (COMMENT: Eckardt seemed to suggest that HiROS is part of a larger, long-term German plan to secure technical dominance in the worldwide space-based EO arena. END COMMENT)
6. (C) Eckardt described DLRs responsibilities for the HiROS proposal as constructing the HiROS instruments, sensors, and focal plane as well as the ground segment. In addition, DLR would develop mission software and image processing algorithms. German industry would be responsible
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for building the spacecraft bus and other mission segments, where both Astrium (Friedrichshafen) and OHB-System would have roles. Eckardt said Jena Optronik would provide new star-tracking cameras for HiROS for improved control and accuracy.
DLR CONCERNED ABOUT ITAR RESTRICTIONS WITH US COMPONENTS
--------------------------------------------- -----------
7. (C) Eckardt said DLR would like to procure US-origin control motion gyroscopes (CMGs) and radiation-hardened integrated circuits (ICs) from US vendors, but is concerned that ITAR restrictions would inject too much procurement risk into the HiROS proposal. Eckardt mentioned the US companies Northrop Grumman (CMGs) and Fairchild Semiconductor (ICs) specifically as desirable sources of HiROS components. Eckardt said if ITAR restrictions appear too problematic, they would likely turn to French suppliers. Eckardt emphasized that this was not his preference because, "as a scientist, I just want the best components."
DLRS KOREAN CONNECTION FUELING HIROS R&D
-----------------------------------------
8. (C) DLRs motivation to develop HiROS emerged from a 2006 partnership with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), where DLR provided sensors, collection instruments, and other mission critical equipment (effectively everything except for the satellite bus) for KARIs KOMPSAT-3 a high-resolution lightweight earth observation satellite. This partnership, in cooperation with German industry at Astrium in Friedrichshafen and Jena Optronik, essentially funded DLRs HiROS research and development. Eckardt said DLR is already working on instruments for the next generation KARI earth-observation satellites, KOMPSAT-6 and -7, with a planned EO GRD of 25 cm.
DLR CALLS KARI A GOOD FRIEND, BUT WARY OF TECHNOLOGY LEAKS
--------------------------------------------- -------------
9. (C) Eckardt spoke glowingly of DLRs cooperation with KARI and called the director of KARIs Satellite Office, Joo-Jin Lee, "a good friend." Eckardt said DLRs cooperation with KARI has progressed to the point where scientific exchange is under way with two KARI scientists working full-time at DLRs Berlin-Adlershof facility. Eckardt, pausing for a moment while describing this relationship, emphasized that DLR considers the area where KARI officials are working to be "older technology" and would not pose an "unauthorized technology transfer risk." He added, "we are being careful to keep all the cutting edge technologies to ourselves."
DIGITAL GLOBE TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH WITH HIROS
--------------------------------------------- ----------
10. (C) Digital Globe (DG) CEO, Dr. Walter Scott, confirmed DGs participation in DLRs Phase B technical feasibility study, but further participation in HiROS is contingent on obstacles that DLR must overcome. The technical questions Scott said DG needs answered are: (1) will HiROS have suitable technical performance for DGs needs and (2) what will the HiROS concept of operations look like in terms of the licensing regime. Scott also said DLR would need to demonstrate adequate financial/political support from the German government for HiROS. Scott said if DLR can alleviate these concerns, the next step would be negotiations on the economic terms under which DG would acquire capacity in the HiROS system.
11. (C) Scott sees DG involvement with HiROS as a win/win situation for DLR and DG, as well as for the German and US governments. Scott said DG would primarily gain imaging capacity and revisit rate, while Germany would potentially gain access to the US market, a funding partner, and an
BERLIN 00001130 003 OF 003
additional means of technical risk reduction. Scott feels from the USG remote sensing perspective, HiROS would mitigate risk against having yet another capable foreign competitor emerge.
COMMENT
-------
12. (C) With the German general election approaching quickly, HiROSs prospects will likely appear clearer by the end of the year. While technical considerations do not appear problematic, political/financial concerns seem to be the main hurdle ahead for HiROS viability. In 2006, France and Germany merged their space programs with a gentlemans agreement not to step on each other,s turf--the Germans would handle SAR and the French EO. However, the French have since then partnered with the Italians, who have their own indigenous space-based SAR -- COSMOS-SKYMED, and are leveraging this relationship to market their EO commercial system packaged with COSMOS-SKYMED to worldwide governments. These moves do not sit well with either German commercial space-radar vendors or DLR. HiROS could offer them an offsetting opportunity. Murphy
Thursday, December 30, 2010
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