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DCAS

Design and Operation of Aerospace Vehicles Department (DCAS)

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At ISAE-SUPAERO, the Design and Operation of Aerospace Vehicles Department (DCAS) develops methods, simulation tools and experimental platforms for the design and operation of aerospace vehicles.

Our research department

The Department of Aerospace Vehicle Design and Control(DCAS) develops training and research activities to meet the scientific challenges of tomorrow’s air transport and future space systems. It conducts cutting-edge research and develops advanced technologies, ranging from man-machine interactions to the integrated multidisciplinary design of aircraft or advanced space concepts , via system control and control laws.

Its research incorporates environmental and socio-economic aspects, such as reducing environmental impacts (fuel consumption, noise, emissions),optimising design cycle times and operational costs,increasing the safety of aerospace systems and improving the efficiency of man-machine systems.

permanent staff
40

permanent staff

 doctoral students, post-doctoral students and engineers
60

doctoral students, post-doctoral students and engineers

aircraft
8

aircraft

patronage chairs
5

patronage chairs

Valérie Budinger

At DCAS, we design the aerospace systems of the future, integrating performance, sustainability and safety. Our research combines advanced technologies, systems intelligence and environmental responsibility to reinvent air and space transport.

Valérie Budinger Head of Department

Our research activities

DCAS is structured into 4 scientific groups :

  • Decision and Control (DC): dynamic and operational behaviour models, synthesis of control laws and sequential decision algorithms.
  • Aeronautical Vehicle Design and Flight Dynamics (CADV ): aircraft design, flight dynamics, aircraft operation and certification, sustainable air transport
  • Space Systems Design (CSS): orbital systems, mission analysis, space systems design and optimisation, space exploration and access to space
  • Humans, Systems and Interactions (HSI ): monitoring and optimisation of human performance in contexts of interaction with natural or technological environments

They work collaboratively on the following 3 interdisciplinary themes:

The aims of this theme are to carry out research into the identification and control of degraded flight situations:

  • aircraft/drone: critical flight situations (e.g. departure from flight envelope, inconsistency of complex parameters/pannes, sub-system failures),
  • crew/operator: borderline cognitive states (e.g. attentional tunnelling, perseveration, fatigue),
  • guaranteeing control performance that is independent of uncertainties and parametric variations.
  • defining 'intelligent' control and supervision processes to optimise flight safety.
  • developing an adaptive control and driving system that is robust to failures.

With the help of the many resources made available by the department - DCAS simulators, flying platforms (TB20, etc.), Neuroergo-lab, indoor aviary - this theme enables DCAS to innovate in the field of human factors (with the development of adaptive cockpits) and automation/decision: fail-safe laws, self-reconfigurable control system for sub-system failures.

Through various fields such as flight mechanics, aircraft design (multiphysics and multi-domain modelling), and automatic control, this theme aims to: define methods and algorithms for optimal integrated design, aerodynamic models, structure, propulsion, environmental models, etc., and study the strong and weak couplings between models.

The resources that are being developed, such as the Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) design workshop and the flight demonstrator, are enabling innovation: application to the design of the BWB flying wing, to distributed propulsion and to the design of long-length aircraft, application to the design of sub-systems (electric de-icing systems, demonstrators), implementation of a complete Multi-domain Modelling, Simulation and Analysis workshop under the OpenMDAO framework.

The management of space debris and autonomous missions to asteroids are all issues targeted by this theme, which aims to study future concepts that are typically possible within a timeframe of 15 years or more, such as in-orbit servicing for telecommunications satellites, space traffic management, the architecture of manned bases on the surface of the Moon or Mars, etc.

Through systems engineering and automation, with the help of space systems design software suites integrating the tools already available at DCAS, this theme addresses the following points: adaptation and/or development of design methods, with particular emphasis on the concept of interface, architecture of large structures for manned exploration missions, formalisation of trajectories and attitude control from the launch phases to the rendezvous phases in LEO, GEO and LP orbits.

DCAS is involved in national and European research projects and works with a large number of industrial partners (major groups, SMEs, start-ups).

Decision and Control" scientific group - DC

Research themes

  • Theme 1: Methods and tools for modelling and controlling aeronautical and space systems and vehicles

    • Synthesis of robust control laws for driving vehicles in severe conditions
    • Control of aeronautical systems and vehicles meeting flight quality, certification and energy consumption criteria.
    • Estimation and control of the flexible modes of high elongation structures.
  • Theme 2: Decision-making under uncertainty, mission planning

    • Secure and robust on-line planning for the autonomy of aerospace systems
    • Improving the adaptability and safety of multi-agent systems
    • Human-centred design of heterogeneous collaborative aerospace systems

Aeronautical Vehicle Design and Flight Dynamics" scientific group - CADV

Research themes

  • Theme 1: Preliminary aircraft design
    • Exploration of innovative aerostructure architectures
    • Exploring new propulsion architectures
    • Operability and maintainability of new architectures
    • Safety and certifiability of new architectures
    • Design of electromechanical de-icing systems
  • Theme 2: Modelling and assessment of technologies and scenarios for air transport in the context of decarbonisation and transition
    • Modelling the air transport system (fleet renewal, use of alternative fuels, economic models)
    • Development of climate models
    • Assessment of the environmental impact of decarbonisation solutions for air transport over their entire life cycle

Space Systems Design" scientific group - CSS

  • Access to space: physical modelling and design of new-generation liquid rocket engines
  • Astrodynamics and mission analysis: modelling and optimisation of trajectories in non-Keplerian environments
  • Robotic and manned space exploration combining systems engineering, space system design, on-board autonomy and human factors
  • Sustainability of space activities

Human, Systems and Interactions" scientific group - HSI

  • Understanding brain function and human performance
  • Cognitive performance in stressful situations or during ageing

  • Massive data analysis applied to brain function

  • Development of brain-machine interfaces

  • Design of innovative integrated sensors for monitoring the state of the operator in extreme environments

Sustainable aviation

The DCAS has developed AeroMAPS, an open source tool for modelling transition trajectories for the aviation sector, the result of three years of research within the department. Initially designed under the name CAST, this reference tool can be used to assess the climate impact of aviation, by integrating variables such as traffic volume, energy consumption and the type of fuel used.

Innovative and multidisciplinary, AeroMAPS takes into account all the climatic effects of aviation, beyond CO₂ alone, including contrails and nitrogen oxide emissions. Aimed at research, training and experts and decision-makers in the sector, it helps to inform strategic choices in connection with international commitments to combat climate change. With this work, ISAE-SUPAERO is asserting its active role in the public debate on the future of aviation.

Our research projects

  • STOL and VTOL control
  • Guidance and navigation strategy planning for UAVs in urban environments
  • Hybrid hydrogen-powered regional aircraft
  • Aviation carbon trajectories
  • Design and optimisation of high aspect ratio wings
  • Low-consumption electromechanical de-icing systems
  • Mitigation of space debris
  • Reusable launchers
  • Real-time monitoring of human performance
DCAS scientific publications
Digital Thread-Based Optimisation Framework for Aeronautical Structures: A Vertical Tail Plane Use Case

de Longueville Sébastien, Bouvet Christophe, Bénard Emmanuel, Jézégou Joël, Gourinat Yves, Digital Thread-Based Optimisation Framework for Aeronautical Structures: A Vertical...

Dynamic UAV trajectory optimisation for parcel delivery with integrated third-party risk mitigation

Aldao, Enrique, Veiga-López, Fernando, Ponzoni Carvalho Chanel Caroline, Watanabe Yoko, González-Jorge, Higinio, Dynamic UAV trajectory optimisation for parcel delivery with...

The Impact of Age on Cognitive Performance at Work: A Focus on Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers : Handbook of Aviation Neuropsychology A Practical G

Causse Mickaël, Mouratille Damien, Baumgartner Marc, Imbert Jean-Paul, The Impact of Age on Cognitive Performance at Work: A Focus on...

Past, current and future trend for the usage of extend reality (XR) in aviation : Aerospace Psychology and Human Factors : Applied Methods and Techniq

Hurter Christophe, Causse Mickaël, Cordeil Maxime, Past, current and future trend for the usage of extend reality (XR) in aviation...

Modeling and analysis of a flexible spinning Euler-Bernoulli beam with centrifugal stiffening and softening: A linear fractional representation approa

Rodrigues Ricardo, Alazard Daniel, Sanfedino Francesco, Tommaso Mauriello, Iannelli Paolo, Modeling and analysis of a flexible spinning Euler-Bernoulli beam with...

Our resources and means

The vast majority of these resources are managed by the technical group, which develops and implements a range of hardware platforms and software tools:

  • Flight simulators (human factors research, flight mechanics training, piloting).
  • An aeronautical software suite (flight mechanics, aircraft design, flight tests).
  • A space software suite (orbitography, satellite energy subsystem, launchers, ground stations),
  • UAVs and UAV systems,
  • Satellite ground segments (rooms and ground stations for satellite projects).

Certain platforms are used/developed in conjunction with other technical teams:

  • the flight test software platform and the flight management software are developed with the Lasbordes flight operations centre,
  • the autonomous systems room is used and developed with the technical group of the Complex Systems Engineering Department (DISC) at ISAE-SUPAERO.

Aeronautical sector

The DCAS technical group is developing a software suite for teaching and research in the field of aeronautics.

These include tools for simulating aircraft movement (Longisim and Transsim), calculating performance or aiding design (Alcazar), and in-flight training with the TB20 instrumented aircraft (TB20 system). A final piece of software (Activol) provides flight management for the aircraft at the Lasbordes Air Operations Centre.

Flight mechanics: LONGISIM/TRANSIM software

These two software packages are dedicated to the study of the longitudinal and lateral movements of the aircraft. They allow simulations to be carried out according to the type of aircraft and flight characteristics (responses to steps, curves, 3D, etc.).

Aircraft design: "ALCAZAR" software

Alcazar is a software package for the complete study and design of an airliner. Weight estimates, fuselage sizing (number of seats per class, etc.), wing geometry, empennage, thrust settings, etc.

Numerous visualisations allow you to see the results of the design throughout the process.

Flight tests / Flight dynamics: "The TB20 System

The "TB20 System" is a software package which, from an instrumented TB20 aircraft (25 parameters in telemetry), enables flight parameters to be displayed in real time or off-line: flight dynamics teaching (in flight or on the ground), flight tests.

Flight management: ACTIVOL software

ACTIVOL is the software used for the day-to-day management of flights at Lasbordes. Statistics are extracted for the annual activity reports.

In the field of aeronautics, a wide range of equipment is available at the DCAS: flight simulators (PEGASE, 6MOUV), drone design workshop and drone flying platforms.

PEGASE flight simulator

PEGASE: Platform for Experiments on Generic Aircraft Simulation Environment

This simulation platform, halfway between high-end simulation (6-axis training simulators) and individual computer simulation, is ideal for teaching flight mechanics and research into human factors.

This generic simulator can simulate any type of aircraft. The basic model for the activities is the Airbus A300.

Developments are fully managed by the DCAS technical group, which means that the platform can be adapted to any need arising from the scientific teams (research, experimentation, demonstrations, teaching, etc.).

Features

- Controls: top-of-the-range equipment with pilot/copilot mini-sticks, rudder pedals, A320 throttles + trim wheels, FCU, MCDU.
- EFIS/ECAM A320 cockpit displays: Primary Flight Display, Navigation Display, Engine Warning Display, Flight Control. They are multiplatform and reusable for other projects.
- 3D visualization: a panoramic 3D visualization provides a view of the outside world. It comes from the FlightGear open-source simulator, but has been adapted to meet requirements (particularly for the HUD: Head Up Display).
- Movement: a 3-axis hydraulic system reproduces movement (pitch, roll, height).
- Audio server: alarms, engines, animations (slats and flaps up/down, landing gear, rain, etc.).

6MOUV flight simulator

6MOUV is a single-seat, 3-axis platform, light aircraft (DR400) simulator based on Flight Simulator software.

Drones

Workshop

A workshop dedicated to the final phase of drone design is run at the DCAS.

UAVs

A number of stationary UAVs developed at DCAS have been produced in the workshop (VisionAir, ScolAir, ScanAir). A fixed-wing flying platform is currently being developed (ExpAir, for the ExpeDrone project).

Space sector

The DCAS technical group is developing a software suite for teaching and research in the space sector.

These include tools for the simulation and design of space systems: SatOrb, SimuSat and SimuLaunch.

SATORB" software

SatOrb is a complex multi-satellite, multi-station orbitography and mission analysis software package. It allows 2D and 3D display of satellites and constellations, as well as multiple analyses of access, visibility, coverage and radio link assessments.

SIMUSAT" software

SimuSAT is a software package for simulating a satellite's energy sub-system. The available modules also enable attitude control and simplified simulation of thermal behaviour. This constantly evolving software, combined with Satorb, is a powerful tool for simulating a complete space system.

SIMULAUNCH

Simulaunch is a simulator dedicated to the design of launchers and the study of their trajectory during launch.

DCAS also has space hardware resources: a ground station in Toulouse (UHF/VHF), a ground station in Cayenne (S-band), and a control centre for its nanosatellite projects, which is designed to be simple and generic.

UHF/VHF -T ground station

The ISAE-SUPAERO teams have a ground station for exchanging digital data with the satellite they want, in UHF/VHF, whether in uplink (remote controls) or downlink (telemetry). The station can operate autonomously and collect data from the satellite automatically. A room is dedicated to this ground station in Toulouse.

Ground station (S-band)

ISAE-SUPAERO has had an S-band station since 2000. For technical reasons, it was installed in Cayenne. In cooperation with MIT and RIKEN, it provided a network of ground stations located on the equator to respond to on-board-ground link problems, due in particular to the platform's equatorial orbit.

SCC: Simple Control Center

The control centre manages all the data exchanged between the satellite and the ground segment using lightweight, high-performance software tailored to the university context and state-of-the-art in terms of both data processing and man-machine interface. It is a robust, stable, reusable tool that complies as far as possible with existing European (ECSS) and international (CCSDS) standards.

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Valérie Budinger
Valérie Budinger

Head of the DAEP department

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“Photonics Antenna Microwave PlasmaA” (PAMPA) scientific group

The “Photonics Antenna Microwave PlasmaA” (PAMPA) scientific group is interested in electromagnetism in the fields of microwaves and photonics, as well as wave-plasma interactions.

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

News

AeroMAPS: the go-to tool for exploring the possible futures of aviation

The AeroMAPS tool, developed by researchers at ISAE-SUPAERO, makes it possible to assess the environmental impacts of air transport and the effectiveness or limitations of levers for decarbonising the sector.

Aeronautics

DCAS

Decarbonization

Pages

Aerodynamics, Energetics, and Propulsion Department (DAEP)

At ISAE SUPAERO, the Aerodynamics, Energetics, and Propulsion Department has a staff of 62, 30 research projects including 5 on a European scale, an exceptional fleet of test facilities for teaching and research purposes, and three research groups contributing to a growth strategy focused on 4 themes of current scientific and social-economic challenge, supported by 2 structuring projects: the SAA wind tunnel and the IC3 large-scale simulation code.

DAEP

PhD

Researcher

Pages

Complex Systems Engineering Department (DISC)

Within ISAE-SUPAERO, the Complex Systems Engineering Department (DISC) develops skills in mathematics and computer science for aeronautical and space engineering. In both teaching and research, it focuses on the models, methods, and tools needed to control the behavior and performance of complex systems. This complexity may be induced by the multi-physics or multi-scale nature of the systems studied, their dynamic behavior, or their distributed and communicating structure.

DISC

PhD

Researcher

Videos

Discover the portrait of Anthéa COMELLINI doctoral student at ISAE-SUPAERO

Anthéa completed her thesis in the Complex Systems Engineering Department (DISC). Her thesis is entitled “Vision-based autonomous rendezvous with non-cooperative targets”. Anthéa is attached to the AA - Aéronautique Astronautique doctoral school. Her thesis, carried out in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space, is part of the CIFRE* program ISAE-SUPAERO hosts its doctoral students in six teams at ISAE-SUPAERO, ONERA and the Clément Ader Institute, covering a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines related to aeronautics and space: aerodynamics and propulsion, structures and materials, onboard systems, networks and telecommunications, systems control and operation, human factors, electronics, signals. ISAE-SUPAERO offers a rich and diversified doctoral training program, leading to the doctorate, the highest level diploma awarded by the institute, and recognized internationally. *Since 1981, the CIFRE scheme - Conventions Industrielles de Formation par la REcherche (Industrial Conventions for Training through Research) - has enabled companies to benefit from financial assistance to recruit a young doctoral student whose research, supervised by a public research laboratory, will lead to the completion of a thesis in three years. CIFREs are fully funded by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, which has entrusted ANRT (Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie) with their implementation.

PhD

Thesis

News

Listening to the Martian past: ISAE-SUPAERO at the heart of the ExoMars mission

ESA's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission to explore Mars will carry a unique instrument for recording sound and atmospheric data from the planet. The Institute has been selected by ESA and CNES for this major scientific collaboration.

DEOS

Researcher

Science

News

Airbus Defence and Space and ISAE-SUPAERO train members of the Peruvian space agency

Twenty engineers from the Peruvian space agency attended a training course in Toulouse, jointly designed by ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space, to develop their skills in the field of space systems and space missions.

DCAS

Short internship

Space

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“Connected Systems” (SysCo) scientific group

The scientific dynamic of the “Connected Systems” (SysCo) scientific group focuses primarily on network-related issues in aerospace applications, i.e. space communications, embedded networks and certain types of connected systems.

DISC

Doctoral student

PhD

Testimonials

Testimony from Yves Gourinat, elected full member of the Air and Space Academy

DMSM

Structures and materials

Teacher researcher

News

Let's make together a durable commitment to new horizons

Aeronautics

Horizons

Sustainability

Pages

DMSM at the Clément Ader Institute (ICA)

The Clément Ader Institute (UMR CNRS 5312) is the solid mechanics research laboratory for Toulouse and its region, under the aegis of the CNRS. It brings together research teams from four institutions and three ministries: the University of Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (National Education), INSA (National Education), ISAE-SUPAERO (Defense), and the École des Mines d'Albi (Industry). These institutions are located in three cities in Midi-Pyrénées: Toulouse, Albi, and Tarbes.

DMSM

Doctoral student

PhD

Pages

Our doctoral training

Doctoral program

Doctoral student

PhD

Pages

“Design and Analysis of Critical Systems” (CASC) scientific group

The “Design and Analysis of Critical Systems” (CASC) scientific group focuses on methods, processes and tools to support System Engineering and Systems Engineering.

DISC

Doctoral student

PhD

Pages

Directory

Directory

Teacher researcher

News

Hera probe captures exceptional images of Mars and its moon Deimos

DEOS

Researcher

Science

Pages

Research

At ISAE-SUPAERO, we conduct cutting-edge research in the service of innovation, technological sovereignty and the ecological transition of the aerospace sector, thereby affirming our role as a leading player in the scientific and industrial community.

DAEP

DCAS

DEOS

News

Noémie Martin, E2018 engineer, receives €1 million prize from the Jean-Jacques and Félicia Lopez-Loreta Foundation for her FASTE project

Noémie Martin, an ISAE-SUPAERO (ENSICA) engineer who graduated in 2018, was awarded a prize by the Lopez-Loreta Foundation in November 2024 for her project FASTE: Fabrication Additive des Structures performantes multi maTériaux pour utilisation en Environnement sévère.

Diversity program

Prize

Science

Pages

“Theory, Modeling and Systems Engineering” (ThéMIS) scientific group

The “Theory, Modeling and Systems Engineering” (ThéMIS) scientific group is dedicated to the study and development of advanced methods for the design, modeling and validation of complex systems.

DISC

Doctoral student

PhD

Videos

Perseverance collects first Martian sounds: explanation by Dr. Naomi Murdoch & Dr. Alexander Stott

Dr Naomi Murdoch, researcher in space instrumentation and planetary science, and Dr Alexander Stott, post-doctoral fellow, tell us more about the physical characteristics of Mars' atmosphere, in particular the speed of sound and its attenuation. These analyses were published in Nature on April 1, 2022 by an international team led by a teacher-researcher from Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier University, and including scientists from CNRS and ISAE-SUPAERO.

DEOS

Researcher

Space

Testimonials

Testimony from Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez, elected member of the Air and Space Academy

DCAS

Space

Teacher researcher

News

MMX, Idefix® and cameras to understand Mars' moon

Studying the formation and origin of Mars' moons and bringing back samples: this is the extraordinary, ambitious international mission led by JAXA, in which ISAE-SUPAERO is participating alongside CNES.

DEOS

Researcher

Space

News

Campus au féminin: raising girls' awareness of scientific careers

Career

Diversity program

Equal opportunities

News

Aviation and Climate: an assessment of transition scenarios for sustainable aviation compatible with the Paris Agreement

In 2021, ISAE-SUPAERO researchers Scott Delbecq, Jérôme Fontane, Nicolas Gourdain, Florian Simatos and Thomas Planès published the ‘Aviation and Climate’ report, summarising international scientific publications in order to provide the scientific information needed to understand the challenges of decarbonising air transport.

Aeronautics

DCAS

Decarbonization