Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES)

CNES is France's national space agency and a core national partner in Europe's space ecosystem. Founded in 1961, it helps shape and carry out French government space policy while also acting as a technical centre and space operator. Its work spans launch systems, satellites, Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, science missions, defence and security applications, and technologies that help public services use space data. CNES works from major centres in Paris, Toulouse, and Kourou, and it collaborates closely with ESA, European institutions, industry, research organizations, and international partners to support French and European space capabilities.