Still the only one of its kind in Europe, the exercise is back for its 6th edition and is picking up its pace with the announcement of its first operational capability at the end of 2025. To highlight this key milestone, this exercise is changing its name: AsterX is now SparteX (Space Readiness and Training eXercice).

This strategic-level exercise aims to qualify CDE units for military space operations, in a simulated environment that is realistic, complex, and interconnected with other domains. It is coordinated with ORION, the joint forces exercise designed to prepare for a large-scale military operation involving combined forces in all domains of conflict and warfare. 

Particularly orientated towards a multi-domain integration. It will test the interoperability of space operations C2 with the other command and control structures and is aimed at validating the different collaboration methods to obtain effects on the terrain. SparteX's scenario includes 28 space events, in all orbits, 4,000 simulated space objects and 29 ground-based sensors for monitoring and tracking objects,  to counter 10 different types of threats. This 6th edition brings together 200 participants (players, animation and support).  

Participants are confronted with the full spectrum of space warfare. The aim is to preserve our space reinforcement capabilities in other domains that remain necessary for operational success, this requires actions in space, towards space and even in other areas.

The institutional partners (CNES, COE and ONERA), and its industrial partners (AGENIUM, Arianegroup, Crisotech, Deliastrat, Look Up, MBDA Safran Data System, Thales Alenia Space) remain fully committed to the exercise, within the framework of a relationship of extended trust as much as common interests of sustainability in the space field. SparteX also includes foreign partners to strengthen operational cooperation and interoperability in the space sector. There is 19 foreign military personnel from 12 nations (Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States) fully integrated to the exercise and there is 20 observers countries. 

SparteX illustrates France's leading role in the military space sector, and contributes to strengthening strategic solidarity between French and allied armed forces.