Share this page :

« Académie Spatiale de Défense »: A Day of Strategic Reflection on the Future of Space

Publication Date

29 May 2026

Category

Event

Tag

Defence

Event

Space

On May 19, 2026, ISAE-SUPAERO and its partners at the Defense Space Academy hosted and organized a day of discussions focused on France’s National Space Strategy. Bringing together government decision-makers, industry representatives, researchers, and military officials, this event provided an opportunity to pool expertise and foster collective reflection on the major challenges of sovereignty, training, and strategic autonomy in the space sector.

At a time when space is emerging as a strategic environment, disputed and essential to the functioning of contemporary societies, France is reaffirming its determination to preserve its sovereignty and freedom of action. Autonomous access to space, resilience of military capabilities, competitiveness of the industry and responsible European cooperation are now national priorities.

It was against this backdrop that the Space Defence Academy (ASD) organised a one-day conference on 19 May 2026 on the ISAE-SUPAERO campus.

The day had three objectives:

to shed light on the main thrusts of French space strategy up to 2030-2040 ;
to analyse the evolution of threats and capabilities in the space sector;
to encourage exchanges between the key players in the national ecosystem.

From strategy to operations

The morning was devoted to the national strategic orientations and operational challenges of defence space.

The day’s proceedings were opened by Lionel Suchet, Director of CNES, whose speech provided insight and clarity on the transformations underway in the space sector.

Captain Pierre Roussel (SGDSN) then presented the new National Space Strategy and the State’s major priorities in terms of sovereignty. The quality of his speech, the diversity of the issues addressed and the discussions with the audience shed light on the challenges that France will have to meet in the coming decades.

Rear-Admiral Sébastien Goinère, second-in-command of the Space Command, then shed light on the issues of operability and sovereignty. His speech highlighted the development of French military space capabilities and sparked a particularly rich exchange with the participants.

Training, sovereignty and strategic autonomy

The afternoon was organised around two round tables bringing together academic, institutional and industrial players.

The first, devoted to training as a pillar of the national space strategy, addressed the issues of training, attractiveness and diversity in a sector that is strategic for our sovereignty, with contributions from Marie-Hélène Baroux, Olivier Kaladjian, Patrick Heim, Mehrez Zribi and Alexandra Brasseur.

The second round table looked at the issues of industrial sovereignty and the sovereignty of space data. Eva Portier, Space Advisor to the Délégué général de l’armement (DGA), took the opportunity to highlight the challenges of industrial and digital sovereignty at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping the space industry’s value chains. Other speakers included Charlotte Neyret, Laurence Lorda, Julien Eballard and Noël Barreau.

The Defence Space Academy: an alliance to promote space sovereignty

Created in 2023 at the initiative of the French Ministry of Defence, the Defence Space Academy brings together ISAE-SUPAERO, the French Air and Space Force and the French Space Command. This unique alliance aims to develop, structure and pass on the space expertise needed to meet the challenges of France’s sovereignty.

ASD brings together three major players with complementary skills:

ISAE-SUPAERO, for its scientific and technological expertise ;
École de l’Air et de l’Espace, for military and academic training;
Space Command, for space operations management.

This cooperation makes it possible to offer a joint, clear and coherent training programme, covering both the academic and operational dimensions of the space sector. Open to institutional, industrial and academic partners, the ASD is now a key vector for exchange and dialogue within the French space ecosystem.

With this event, ISAE-SUPAERO, a school under the supervision of the DGA, is fully reaffirming its defence roots and its role as a benchmark academic player in the service of scientific, technological and strategic excellence in the space sector.

Olivier Kaladjian - Directeur général de l'Ecole de l'Air et de l'Espace

Echanges avec la salle

Eva Portier - Conseillère Espace du Délégué général de l’armement (DGA)

Echanges avec la salle (2)

David Mimoun, professeur à l'ISAE-SUPAERO, référent ASD pour l'Institut

Related Content

View Other Pages

Testimonials

Testimony from Axel Coulon, student (class of 2024) of the TAS ASTRO Advanced Master®

Advanced Master

Space

Testimonial

News

BROMO: the joint venture project involving major European space industry players presented to ISAE-SUPAERO students

In December 2025, ISAE-SUPAERO welcomed major players in the European space industry (Airbus, Thales and Leonardo) for an exceptional conference on the BROMO project.

Conference

Space

News

An exceptional scholarship for an innovative project

Naomi Murdoch, a researcher in physics and planetology at ISAE-SUPAERO, has just been awarded the prestigious Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for her planetary body study project called GRAVITE. This ambitious scientific project aims to design a variable gravity machine that will enable the simulation and study of extraterrestrial soils.

DEOS

Scholarship

Space

Events

Digital Clean Up Week

Event

Institute

News

ISAE-SUPAERO and Spaceflight Institute join forces to train tomorrow's manned flight experts

On July 29, 2025, ISAE-SUPAERO and the Spaceflight Institute signed a partnership agreement for the joint creation of a “Certificate of Advanced Studies in Human Spaceflight”. This new semester-long program aims to train a new generation of space professionals, combining academic excellence with operational expertise.

Certificates of advanced studies

Education

Space

News

ISAE-SUPAERO and ENAC invite you to the “Rendez-vous Aéro de l'Innovation” on Thursday, February 5, 2026!

Aeronautics

Event

Innovation

News

Mars hit by meteorites more often than previously thought

Two researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO contributed to new discoveries based on data from the seismometer sent to Mars during the InSight mission, one of whose main objectives was to measure seismic activity on the Red Planet.

Space

Events

The "Assises du NewSpace" returns on July 7 & 8, 2026!

Event

Space

News

CASTOR Chair: Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse and ISAE-SUPAERO, a win-win partnership

The official signing of the industrial chair, called CASTOR, between Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse and ISAE-SUPAERO took place on Tuesday 9 July at the institute's campus. This research partnership contributes to research into carbon-free aircraft.

Aeronautics

Chair

Company

News

Space: Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will embark on two unprecedented space missions in 2027

France is stepping up its space ambitions. At the Choose France summit, the President of the Republic announced that French astronauts Thomas Pesquet and Arnaud Prost will take part in two commercial space missions in 2027, as part of an agreement between France and the American company Vast.

Alumni

Exploration

Space

News

RAMSES: ISAE-SUPAERO at the heart of a historic planetary defense mission

Le sismomètre SIA développé par l'ISAE-SUPAERO est une première mondiale pour explorer l'astéroïde Apophis

DEOS

Research

Space

News

3 questions to... Loïc Jecker, S-Cube member from 2011 to 2013

Meet Loïc Jecker, member of S-Cube - SUPAERO Space Section - ISAE-SUPAERO's experimental rocket club, from 2011 to 2013.

Space

Student club

Student life

Videos

The Dart mission has hit its target: explanations from Dr Naomi Murdoch, planetary scientist at ISAE-SUPAERO

Researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO are participating in this first planetary defence mission. Dr. Naomi Murdoch, a researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO and scientific member of the #DART and #HERA missions, comments on the objectives of DART and those of the European HERA mission, which will arrive in the area in 2026 to characterise the crater left by DART and study the internal structure of the asteroid #Dimorphos!

DEOS

Researcher

Space

Pages

Navigation, Radar, and Remote Sensing (NAVIR² eS) Scientific Group

The “Navigation, Radar and Remonte Sensing” (NAVIR² eS) scientific group is interested in the theoretical study of information sources and hybridization approaches for autonomous vehicle navigation applications.

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

Videos

FRENCH SUPERCAM INSTRUMENT RECORDING THE SOUND OF INGENUITY'S 4th FLIGHT

Located 80 meters from the rover at the moment of take-off, the small helicopter rose to 5 meters above the ground before covering a distance of 133 meters before returning to land where it had taken off from. SuperCam's scientific microphone, developed by ISAE-SUPAERO, recorded the sound emitted by the rotation of the Martian drone's blades during its flight. This sound has a characteristic frequency of 84 Hz, equivalent to the low “E” of a piano or the bass voice of a human being. “This is a big surprise for the whole scientific team,” says Naomi Murdoch, a researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO who is studying the data from the microphone. "Tests carried out in a Martian atmosphere simulator to design this instrument, and our theories of sound propagation, indicated that the microphone would have great difficulty picking up the sounds of the helicopter. Indeed, Mars' thin atmosphere strongly attenuates sound transmission. We needed a bit of luck to record the helicopter from such a distance. We're very pleased to have succeeded in obtaining this recording, which is proving to be a goldmine for our understanding of the Martian atmosphere". Developed jointly by ISAE-SUPAERO and a consortium of CNRS laboratories and its partners, coordinated by CNES, SuperCam's microphone is derived from a consumer model adapted to withstand the Martian environment. It pursues 3 substantial scientific and technical objectives of the Mars 2020 mission: Study the sound associated with laser impacts on Martian rocks, to gain a better understanding of their mechanical properties. Improving our understanding of atmospheric phenomena (wind turbulence, dust eddies, wind interactions with the rover, and now with the helicopter). Understanding the sound signature of the rover's various movements (robotic arm and mast operations, driving on normal or uneven ground, pump monitoring, etc.). The microphone was first switched on a few hours after Perseverance landed. It recorded the first Martian sounds generated by turbulence in the atmosphere. It is used daily in conjunction with laser rock ablation for chemical analysis of Mars. ABOUT THE MARS 2020 MISSION: NASA is relying on Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the development of the Mars 2020 mission. SuperCam was developed jointly by LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) and a consortium of laboratories attached to the CNRS, French universities and research establishments. Several Spanish universities, led by the University of Valladolid, are also contributing to the instrument. CNES is responsible to NASA for the French contribution to SuperCam. The instrument is operated alternately from LANL and the French Operations Center for Science and Exploration (FOCSE) at CNES in Toulouse.

DEOS

Researcher

Space

News

Capturing the seismic activity of an asteroid: our Apophis rendezvous

DEOS

Research

Space

News

Valentin LELOUP, quantum and optical telecommunications systems engineer: the quantum and space tandem

Valentin Leloup, R&D engineer at Thales, combines two fields of expertise: quantum physics and space. He holds an engineering degree from ISAE-SUPAERO 2022 and a Master 2 in fundamental physics and applications.

Alumni

News

Research

Events

16th EASN International Conference

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Event

Pages

Our Short Modules

Derived from the Institute's Advanced Master programmes, our short modules are aimed at professionals wishing to develop specific skills in Aeronautics, Space, Project Management, Systems Engineering, or Digital Systems.

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Pages

Semester Research Projects

Take your studies to the next level by participating in a semester-long research project at ISAE-SUPAERO: immerse yourself in cutting-edge laboratories alongside international experts and contribute to advances in aeronautics and space technology.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Aerospace summer program

Videos

Training courses: space studies

Find out more about our courses and #information in the field of space! The space dimension is strongly developed within our various training courses, whether in specific streams or dedicated programs. French and international students alike are showing a keen interest in our educational programs in Earth observation and the sciences of the Universe, as well as in the design and operation of space systems. Space research and industry employ many ISAE-SUPAERO engineers. Explore the world of space!

Programme

Space

News

ISAE-SUPAERO back on mission with Hera

The Hera mission, an international planetary defence mission, is on its way to study the asteroid Dimorphos, which will be struck by DART in 2022. ISAE-SUPAERO is actively collaborating in this international planetary defence programme through the research work of Naomi Murdoch and the SSPA team.

DEOS

Space

Events

5th edition of the "Defense and Innovation" Forum

Conference

Defence

Event

Pages

Integrated Image Sensors (CIMI) Scientific Group

The “Integrated Image Sensors” (CIMI) scientific group, develops and characterizes active-pixel image sensors (CMOS Image Sensors (CIS)) on silicon for visible and infrared radiation.

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

Events

ISAE Group Virtual Forum

Defense & Security Engineer

Event

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

News

Ariane 6: at ISAE-SUPAERO, researchers are already working on the future

The European Ariane 6 launcher incorporates major technological innovations such as the Vinci engine, capable of reigniting in space. At ISAE-SUPAERO, researchers are tackling the challenges posed by the rocket engines of tomorrow.

Space

Videos

ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space organize an international training course on space systems

Twenty engineers from the Peruvian space agency CONIDA (Comisión Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Aeroespacial) attended a training course in Toulouse designed jointly by ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space! The aim? To develop their skills in space systems and space missions. The entire program was placed under the academic responsibility of AnnaFederica Urbano, a lecturer and researcher in space systems and launchers at ISAE-SUPAERO. The engineers took part in a preliminary satellite design project. At the end of the five-week course, they all obtained the Certificate of Advanced Studies awarded by ISAE-SUPAERO. For ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space, this experience opens up prospects for future collaborations in training courses of this type for international customers and industrial and institutional partners. For more information: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/actualites/airbus-defence-and-space-et-l-isae-supaero-forment-des-membres-de-l-agence/

Programme

Space

Events

"Les Entretiens de Toulouse - Training through debate”: April 9 & 10, 2025 on the ISAE-SUPAERO campus

"Les Entretiens de Toulouse" has become a must-attend event for the aerospace industry. A forum for the exchange and transmission of skills, this training through debate provides an opening onto subjects with high industrial stakes. The 2025 edition of the Entretiens de Toulouse will take place on April 9 & 10, 2025, in person, at ISAE-SUPAERO!

Aeronautics

Artificial intelligence

Defence

Events

First edition of the Occitanie Talent Marketplace

On November 13, 2025, at the Cité de Toulouse, ISAE-SUPAERO will be taking part in a first-of-its-kind event, the “Occitanie Talent Marketplace”, which will bring together start-ups from the university world in the Occitanie region and talents & skills wishing to take part in an entrepreneurial adventure.

Entrepreneurship

Event

Innovation

News

The Jupiter system: a unique laboratory for a major scientific breakthrough

Nicolas André, teacher-researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO, co-authors a major discovery in Nature Communications.

DEOS

Exploration

Space

Pages

Job offers

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Events

Les Assises du New Space 2025: discussions and debates on NewSpace!

The 2025 edition of the Assises du New Space will be held this year on July 8-9, 2025 at the Centre des congrès de la Villette - Cité des sciences et de l'industrie in Paris. Aimed at all players in the French space ecosystem, this event is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and debate around NewSpace, and to discover the latest technological innovations and project financing opportunities. Registration is now open!

Conference

Event

Round table

Pages

French Space Defence Academy

In order to drive and implement the ambitions set out in the Space Defence Strategy, the creation of a space defence expertise sector offering attractive programmes is a major challenge. In this regard, the French Space Defence Academy (ASD) offers programmes available within the Armed Forces Ministry and leverages synergies between them to provide a personalised approach to space programmes.

Defence

Education

Partner

Videos

Sylvestre Maurice presents the SUPERCAM / Martian Exploration educational kit

The ‘SUPERCAM - Martian Exploration’ educational kit project was initiated by five partners: ISAE-SUPAERO, the Toulouse Academy, CNRS, CNES and Cité de l'espace. Under the guidance and supervision of astrophysicist Sylvestre Maurice, first-year students at ISAE-SUPAERO developed this educational tool to raise awareness of space exploration in classrooms, from sixth form to final year. This kit is available to middle and high school teachers and can be adapted to offer educational lessons related to this theme.

Diversity program

Equal opportunities

Researcher

Videos

Video recap of the first edition of the Occitanie Talent Marketplace

Have a look back at the Occitanie Talent Marketplace in pictures, a unique event that brought together startups from the university ecosystem of the Occitanie region and the talents & skills eager to join an entrepreneurial adventure. Also, check out the event’s photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194546076@N07/albums/72177720330573098/

Company

Event

Pages

The “Certificate of Advanced Studies in Human Spaceflight” offered by the Spaceflight Institute in collaboration with ISAE-SUPAERO

The Spaceflight Institute is the first institute dedicated to training in human spaceflight. In partnership with ISAE-SUPAERO, it offers an intensive training program that enables participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges of human spaceflight and to position themselves within a rapidly expanding ecosystem, marked by future lunar and Martian missions as well as the rapid emergence of commercial space stations and private initiatives in low Earth orbit.

Education

Innovation

Partner

Videos

The sound of a Martian dust devil captured by the SuperCam microphone on Perseverance

This video and audio show the results obtained by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover and its SuperCam microphone when recording the sounds of a Martian dust devil passing overhead on 27 September 2021, the 215th Martian day or sol of the mission. The dust devil was 25 metres wide and at least 118 metres high, moving at a speed of approximately 19 km/h. This is the first time such a recording has been made, as capturing a dust devil requires a bit of luck. Indeed, it flew over the rover at a time when all of Perseverance's sensors measuring wind, pressure, temperature and dust, plus the NavigationXXX (Navcam) camera, were running. This allowed scientists to combine sounds, images and atmospheric data. The unique combination of this data, along with atmospheric modelling, enabled researchers to estimate the dimensions of the dust devil. Scientists cannot accurately predict when these vortices will occur. Rovers such as Perseverance and Curiosity monitor them regularly. When scientists notice that they are more frequent at a certain time of day or approaching from a certain direction, they focus their monitoring to try to capture a dust devil with all the sensors at their disposal. > To better understand the video, it shows three rows of images: - the row

DEOS

Researcher

Space

Testimonials

Testimonial of Baptiste Sigal, Advanced Master® TAS ASTRO student (class) 2025

Advanced Master

Aerospace

Space

Pages

Applied Mathematics (MA) Scientific Group

The “Applied Mathematics” (MA) scientific group covers a wide range of topics: Stochastic processes (especially Markov processes), numerical optimization (especially multidisciplinary optimization) and parallel computing, stabilization, control and numerical solution of partial differential equations, and financial engineering.

DISC

Doctoral student

PhD

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

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

Events

ISAE-SUPAERO will be at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget from June 16 to 22, 2025

ISAE-SUPAERO will be present at the 55ᵉ Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace at Le Bourget from June 16 to 22, 2025!

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Event

News

Researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO contributed to the success of the first images from ESA's Sentinel 2c observation satellite.

The Sentinel 2c Earth observation satellite, launched on 5 September as part of ESA's Copernicus mission, has delivered its first images. This success is partly due to the image sensor research team (CIMI) at ISAE-SUPAERO, which designed and oversaw the manufacture of the visible image sensors.

DEOS

Space

News

SILOE, an experimental drop tower project selected by ESA and an ESPACE grant for Alexia Duchêne

The SILOE experimental drop tower project aims to study the cohesion of planetary surfaces. This student project is supported by ESA as part of its European ‘Academy Experiments’ program. Alexia Duchêne, SILOE project leader, has been awarded a scholarship of excellence from the Fondation des Ailes de France.

DEOS

Space

Pages

UNIVERSEH

UNIVERSEH, the European Space University for Earth and Humanity, is an alliance of European universities created as part of the European Universities initiative launched by the European Commission in 2019.

Education

International

Science

Pages

Theory, Modelling, 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

News

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Congress: Laurent Joly, Deputy Director of Research at ISAE-SUPAERO, talks about the Institute's commitments

Event

Sustainability

Pages

Prior Experience Accreditation

The validation of prior experience is an individual right enshrined in the French Labor Code and Education Code. It enables candidates to obtain all - or part - of a professional certification (Diploma, Professional Title, Certificate of Professional Qualification), based on their professional, salaried or non-salaried and/or voluntary experience. This scheme can be used if the candidate is seeking personal recognition, or more generally to support a professional project that he or she wishes to put into practice.

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Events

French-Korean workshop: “Cryogenic hydrogen for aviation”.

Event

Research

Science

Pages

Aerospace Summer Programme

Enjoy a unique experience at the heart of aeronautics and space technology with intensive courses, exclusive industrial visits, and an international immersion in Paris, Poitiers and Toulouse.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Aerospace summer program

News

3 questions to... Ervan Kassarian, S-Cube member from 2015 to 2017

Meet Ervan Kassarian, member of S-Cube - SUPAERO Space Section - ISAE-SUPAERO's experimental rocket club, from 2015 to 2017.

Space

Student club

Student life

Pages

Support for the Development of the ISAE Group - GIFAS

GIFAS (Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales - French Aerospace Industries Group) supports the development of high-level academic and professional education in aerospace systems at the 6 Grandes Écoles that make up the ISAE Group (ISAE-ENSMA, ISAE-SUPMECA, ESTACA, Ecole de l'Air et de l'Espace, ENAC, ISAE-SUPAERO).

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Chair

Videos

Orbit Your Thesis: ISAE-SUPAERO in zero gravity with the AIM experiment

Artery In Microgravity (#AIM), the first student scientific experiment designed and developed in collaboration since 2018 by ISAE-SUPAERO and Polytechnique Turin, was launched on 23 November 2022 by Space X's Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station (ISS)! Selected by the ESA as part of its ‘Orbit your thesis’ programme, AIM aims to study the behaviour of the heart and its arteries in space, in order to determine whether people with heart problems will one day be able to stay there.

Prize

Space

News

Apply today for a program at ISAE-SUPAERO or ENAC - École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile!

The TSAAE application platform is now open: discover our world-renowned programs and apply online for the 2026 academic year before November 28 at midnight (French time)!

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Pages

Learning, Decision, Optimisation (ADO) Scientific Group

DISC

Doctoral student

PhD

News

ISAE-SUPAERO contributes to the Artemis IV mission with the SPSS seismology instrument

NASA selects the JPL/CNES instrument suite for the Artemis IV mission, paving the way for unprecedented exploration of the Moon’s internal structure at the South Pole.

DEOS

Exploration

Space

News

The COMETES project - Skills and Careers in Space - is launching its website, a platform dedicated to skills and careers in the space sector.

The space sector is undergoing profound change driven by New Space, accelerating technological innovation, and environmental challenges. These transformations are leading to rapid changes in the careers and skills required within the industry. In this context, COMETES is launching a platform dedicated to space-related skills, careers, and training.

Education

Space

News

Mars mission simulation: a scientific experiment, a human adventure

Like nine other ISAE-SUPAERO crews before them, seven students took part in a simulation of life on Mars in the Utah desert in the United States this winter.

Space

Student club

Videos

Arnaud Prost, ESA reserve astronaut and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus: “I was incredibly lucky to be here”

Fighter pilot and reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), Arnaud Prost returned to his former school on Thursday March 28 to meet 200 secondary school students as part of the ISAE SUPAERO OSE program. It was an opportunity for him to recall the “great memories” of his student experience at ISAE-SUPAERO, his long-standing commitment to the student social outreach program and the “Aquanauts” scheme he set up with OSE l'ISAE-SUPAERO. And in passing, he offers a few words of advice to young people who might dream of following in his footsteps: “Don't let yourself be convinced that one of these paths isn't for you!” A 2017 graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO, Arnaud Prost is among those selected for the ESA Astronaut Class of 2022, alongside Sophie Adenot and Anthea Comellini, both also alumni of the school. They join other illustrious ESA astronauts who have already studied at the school: Thomas Pesquet, Luca Parmitano and Samantha Cristoforetti. Since 1970, ISAE-SUPAERO has contributed to the progress of the space age through its training, research and innovation activities. As the only organization in France to offer degree courses (engineering, master's, specialized master's, doctorate) covering all 22 space-related themes identified by CNES, the Institute offers a royal road to space careers. For Arnaud Prost's full profile: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/A

Alumni

Diversity program

Space

Pages

Our Specialised Studies Certificates

Our specialised studies certificates are designed for professionals. They enable you to develop skills and expertise in the fields of digital, aeronautics, space, project management, systems engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

News

ISAE-SUPAERO's researchers are working on establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

While last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 17 mission, the last manned trip to the Moon, the development of ‘New Space’ has revived the space sector's interest in lunar exploration.

DCAS

Space

Videos

Sophie Adenot: from ISAE-SUPAERO to space

Meet Sophie Adenot, astronaut at the European Space Agency (ESA) and ISAE-SUPAERO alumna, who answers three questions! 🚀

Alumni

Diversity program

Space

Videos

ISAE-SUPAERO and Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology work on student space exploration projects

ISAE-SUPAERO received a visit from Professor Shine S R of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) on December 7 and 8. ISAE-SUPAERO signed a co #cooperation agreement with the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in 2020 and this visit was a perfect opportunity to discuss the deepening of #training and #research collaborations between our two institutions. ISAE-SUPAERO and IIST have already been cooperating for 4 years within the framework of Franco-Indian collaborative academic projects, involving students from ISAE-SUPAERO and IIST on subjects related to space exploration missions and with the participation of experts from CNES, IRAP and the Indian space agency (ISRO)!

Space

Videos

A surprise from elsewhere... from the ISS...?

Hello earth? Thomas Pesquet speaking! Thomas Pesquet, French astronaut and famous ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus (class of 2001), is currently in the ISS as part of his new Alpha mission. He sent our students a personalized message from the European laboratory Columbus...

Alumni

Diversity program

Space

Events

8th edition of Future Intelligence

Artificial intelligence

Cyber

News

The 2025 Edmond Brun Prize from the French Academy of Sciences awarded to Annafederica Urbano, professor at ISAE-SUPAERO

On October 28, 2025, the Academy of Sciences awarded the Edmond Brun Prize to Annafederica Urbano, professor of space launch vehicles at ISAE-SUPAERO. This biennial physics award recognizes her entire body of work in the field of space propulsion.

DCAS

News

Prize

Videos

Start-up insights: interview with Ugo Bonnet from the Space Flight Institute

In recent years, ISAE-SUPAERO has developed a range of services and comprehensive support for its project leaders (students, doctoral students, teacher-researchers, and alumni), earning it the title of incubator. It is in line with this support philosophy that the Institute currently hosts numerous startups that were created within its walls. Today we welcome Ugo Bonnet, CEO of the Space Flight Institute, a company that offers innovative training (in partnership with ISAE-SUPAERO) to future professionals in human spaceflight, whether on Earth or in orbit. Ugo Bonnet discusses the creation of the organization, its major successes, and its plans for the future.

Alumni

Space

Startup

Pages

Lasbordes Air Operations Center (COAL)

The Department of Design and Operation of Aeronautical and Space Vehicles (DCAS) is part of the Lasbordes Air Operations Center (COAL), located on an airfield a few kilometers from the ISAE-SUPAERO campus. As part of its aeronautical training and research activities, COAL operates a fleet of 8 light aircraft.

DCAS

Doctoral student

PhD

News

CIME 2025: Where Science Meets Adventure to Push the Limits of Exploration

At ISAE-SUPAERO, the 2025 Interdisciplinary Congress on Extreme Worlds (CIME) gathers researchers and adventurers determined to push human limits in the planet’s most extreme environments.

Exploration

Innovation

Space

News

ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO will launch a new “Defense & Security” engineering programme starting in the 2026 academic year

A joint programme designed to train multidisciplinary engineers — both civilian and military — capable of meeting scientific and industrial challenges in key sectors.

Defence

Security

News

ISAE-SUPAERO will be at the Paris Air Show from June 16 to 22, 2025!

Aeronautics

Event

Fair

Pages

Communication and Information Theory (ComiT) Scientific Group

The “Communication and Information Theory” (ComiT) scientific group is involved in the disciplines of digital communications, radar, and channel access techniques. Its fields of application include space systems, civil and military aviation, terrestrial cellular networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).

DEOS

Doctoral program

Doctoral student

News

DART: ISAE-SUPAERO students publish new scientific findings in Nature Communications

Naomi Murdoch, a planetary science researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO, is actively involved in scientific analysis and data interpretation for NASA's DART mission.

DEOS

Space

News

ISAE-SUPAERO hosts the first in-person Inter-Agency GNC V&V Workshop

On July 9–10, 2025, ISAE-SUPAERO had the honor of hosting the very first in-person edition of the Inter-Agency GNC V&V Workshop, bringing together more than 150 participants from academia, industry, and major international space agencies.

Event

Research

Workshop

Testimonials

Testimony of Giuseppe Cataldo, alumnus of the 2010 Engineer ISAE-SUPAERO programme

Alumni

Space

Testimonial

News

CASTOR Chair: ISAE-SUPAERO and Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse celebrate 1 year of partnership

Aeronautics

Chair

Partnership

Testimonials

Testimonial from Sylvain ASSOGBA, an AM IEM student participating in the “Startech Summer School – Space Entrepreneurship: from Business Ideas to Start-Ups” in Rome

Education

International

Space

News

ISAE-SUPAERO at the Forefront of AI Challenges in Defense and Security

On March 24, 2026, ISAE-SUPAERO hosted the Future Intelligence Forum, an event dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to the defense, security, and resilience sectors. Public policymakers, experts, researchers, industry leaders, and innovators gathered to share their vision and collectively shape the future of AI in the public interest.

Aerospace

Artificial intelligence

Defence

Events

AASTRA Certificate: Introductory Webinar on May 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Air transport

News

Training new skills for the future of space: COMETES is launched!

Company

Job

Space

Events

AASTRA Certificate: presentation webinar on March 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Air transport

Pages

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

ISAE-SUPAERO is broadcasting the webinar "Air transport in crisis and the climate challenge: towards new paradigms" on campus!

Aerospace

Event

Sustainability

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

Our Semester & Short Programmes

Discover ISAE-SUPAERO's academic excellence through our semester and short programmes, open to international students.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Aerospace summer program

News

“My summer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory”: Axel’s account, a student on the TAS Astro Advanced Master’s programme

Since May, Axel Coulon has been interning at NASA's famous JPL in Los Angeles. He is working on detecting helicopter landing sites on Mars. A student in the MS TAS Astro programme, he recounts this incredible space adventure that took him from his native Lorraine to California.

Internship

Programme

Space

Videos

Sylvestre Maurice, astrophysicist and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus

Awarded a prize by the Académie des Sciences in 2020, Sylvestre Maurice #astrophysicist at the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP) in Toulouse witnessed the landing of the #Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18, 2021. A historic moment for this enthusiast, who is also the scientific manager of the onboard SuperCam instrument. A 1990 graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO, Sylvestre Maurice tells us about his career.

Alumni

Researcher

Space

Videos

SUPERCAM Educational Kits / Martian Exploration: Students at the controls of the kits

Follow ISAE-SUPAERO students as they create educational kits, a digital educational tool designed to raise awareness of space exploration that can be used in classrooms from Year 7 to Year 13.

Diversity program

Equal opportunities

Space

News

Meteorite impact reveals new insights into Mars

In September 2021, NASA's InSight mission recorded a meteorite impact. Analysis of the data by scientists has revolutionised our understanding of the internal structure of Mars and its evolution. Its mantle is not homogeneous, as previously assumed, but composed of a layer of molten silicates overlying the core. Press release from the IPGP - Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris: ‘The InSight mission reveals a molten layer at the base of the Martian mantle’.

DEOS

Space

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

News

"Futurs Proches" Festival in October 9: tickets are now available!

ISAE-SUPAERO's CSR department, in partnership with the Toulouse Community of Universities and Establishments (COMUE), invites you to join us on Thursday, October 9 for the 2ᵉ edition of the Festival Futurs Proches, Festival des Campus en transitions!

Corporate responsibility

Decarbonization

Event

News

Seven ISAE-SUPAERO students set out to conquer Mars in the Utah desert

For four weeks, seven engineering students will experience a simulation of life on Mars in the Utah desert in the United States. From 18th February to 16th March, they will conduct experiments in collaboration with CNES and several research laboratories at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS).

Space

Student club

News

Star Launcher programme: a new defence boot camp organised at ISAE-SUPAERO

A boot camp organised on Thursday 3 October with numerous players from the world of innovation and defence. An event organised by ISAE-SUPAERO and TTT (Toulouse Tech Transfer). 11 start-ups currently supported by the Lanceur d'Étoiles programme.

Defence

Entrepreneurship

Incubator

Events

2026 edition of "Les Entretiens de Toulouse"

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Event

News

Les Assises du New Space: update of the “Ambition NewSpace 2027” report

In 2022, the Assises du NewSpace collective - a group of players representing the French space industry - published the report “Ambition NewSpace 2027”. Today, the collective is launching another major national consultation to update this report and shape the future of French space!

Conference

Round table

Space

Events

AASTRA Certificate: Introductory Webinar on July 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Air transport

News

Alexandre Bouraoui Takes Gold at the 2025 International Astronautical Congress

Final-year engineering apprentice, specializing in Industrialisation and Methods for Aeronautics and Space, Alexandre Bouraoui was recently honored at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, where he won the prestigious Hermann Oberth Gold Medal in the Graduate category. We spoke with him about his award and his studies at ISAE-SUPAERO.

Congress

DEOS

Event

Pages

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

News

Historical Discovery: Mercury Does Indeed Have Electron Radiation Belts

An international team of researchers, including a scientist from ISAE-SUPAERO, has just published a study in the journal "Nature Astronomy" revealing the existence of electron radiation belts around Mercury. This discovery, based on an analysis of data from the MESSENGER mission and supported by previously unpublished observations from the BepiColombo mission’s MEA (Mercury Electron Analyzer) instrument, sheds new light on the physics of planetary magnetospheres and raises major challenges for the protection of space missions.

DEOS

Research

Space

Pages

Spring Semester in Aeronautical Engineering

Immerse yourself in the world of aerospace in Toulouse, the European aerospace capital, with a semester taught in English combining excellent courses, cultural immersion, and proximity to major industrial players.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Aerospace summer program

Events

"Futurs Proches" Festival

Event

Sustainability

Pages

Innovating in a World of Transition - Safran

The challenges facing the aerospace industry (energy transition, New Space, digitalization) are driving a growing need for professionals with the ability to innovate. Against this backdrop, Safran and ISAE-SUPAERO are creating the Innovating in a World in Transition Chair.

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Chair

Videos

3 questions to Marie Delaroche, 3ᵉ year student and MDRS 293 crew commander

Since February 18, seven ISAE-SUPAERO engineering students have been living a simulated Martian life and carrying out experiments in collaboration with CNES and several research laboratories at The Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in UTAH (USA)! For the second time, the mission is led by a woman: Marie Delaroche, a passionate #spaceexplorer, who was already part of crew 275 departing in 2023. We asked her 3 questions to find out more about the challenges of this mission and her feelings as #flightcommander! Alongside her, three young women and three young men in their 2ᵉ year of #engineering studies have taken on the roles of astronomer, scientist, botanist, journalist, health worker and onboard engineer. They are all members of the Mars Club ISAE-SUPAERO, a student association for the popularization of science focused on the Red Planet and the missions dedicated to its exploration and study. They are currently experimenting with AI4U, the artificial intelligence that assists astronauts in their daily tasks (environmental measurements, voice recognition, emergency exercises). They are also conducting a science popularization experiment in collaboration with secondary school pupils. Inspired by the film The Martian, in which an astronaut grows potatoes on the Red Planet, the aim of this experiment is to compare plant growth in Martian soil with growth in terrestrial soil! To follow their adventure, click here: https://mars.bde-supaero.fr/

Space

Student club

Student life

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

Landing on Mars: a unique experience for seven students

Seven ISAE-SUPAERO students have been selected to join the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in the United States. This replica of a Martian base will host the crew for four weeks, during which they will live in conditions similar to those found on Mars. The objective is to conduct experiments in situ in collaboration with research partners.

Space

Student club

Student life

News

Women's Campus Day 2026 “Inspiring younger generations and young girls”: astronaut Sophie Adenot's commitment continues

The first edition of ISAE-SUPAERO's “Campus au féminin” days in 2016, attended by astronaut Sophie Adenot, a graduate of the school, was met with great enthusiasm by middle and high school girls. Given its success, the program has become a permanent fixture and now reaches hundreds of young girls every year, allowing them to discover careers in science and engineering.

Diversity program

Equal opportunities

Event

Events

Forum ICAM 2026

Company

Event

Videos

Visiting professors at ISAE-SUPAERO: DAN SCHEERES

ISAE-SUPAERO est un établissement d'enseignement supérieur axé sur la recherche et l'innovation, qui s'engage à concilier excellence scientifique, visibilité académique et proximité avec les objectifs industriels. Ses activités de recherche ont contribué à faire de l'école un leader international non seulement en termes de programme d'ingénierie aérospatiale, mais aussi de programmes de troisième cycle, notamment ses masters (MSc) et ses programmes de doctorat en sciences de l'ingénierie. C'est pourquoi de nombreux acteurs internationaux clés de la recherche rendent visite à leurs homologues de l'ISAE-SUPAERO. Nous avons rencontré Dan Sheeres, professeur émérite de l'université du Colorado et titulaire de la chaire A. Richard Seebass au département des sciences de l'ingénierie aérospatiale Ann et H.J. Smead de l'université du Colorado à Boulder. Les recherches de Dan Scheeres couvrent des sujets allant de l'astrodynamique et de la navigation spatiale à la science planétaire et à la mécanique céleste, et il a publié de nombreux articles dans ces domaines. L'astéroïde 8887 a été baptisé « Scheeres » en reconnaissance de ses contributions à la compréhension scientifique de l'environnement dynamique des astéroïdes. Pendant son séjour à l'ISAE-SUPAERO, le professeur Scheeres et l'équipe des systèmes spatiaux pour les applications planétaires ont collaboré à l'analyse des données DART et au développement de concepts visant à étudier la structure interne des astéroïdes lors de futures missions spatiales. De plus, Dan Scheeres et l'ISAE-SUPAERO ont publié conjointement plusieurs articles dans « Nature » sur les astéroïdes et la mission DART.

DEOS

Researcher

Space

News

ISAE-SUPAERO is co-hosting the 16th EASN International Conference in Toulouse

ISAE-SUPAERO is pleased to host the 16th edition of the international conference organized by EASN in Toulouse from October 27 to 30, 2026, dedicated to the theme: “Innovation in Aeronautics and Space for Sustainability Today and Tomorrow.”

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Innovation

Pages

Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory - Airbus DS & ArianeGroup

Created in 2017 and renewed until 2027, this sponsorship partnership brings together Airbus Defense & Space and Ariane Group.

Aerospace

Chair

Company

News

ISAE-SUPAERO announces new partnership with ESA Academy to support future Master in Aerospace Engineering students

Aerospace

Master in Aerospace Engineering

Scholarship

Pages

Space Systems for Planetology and Applications (SSPA) Scientific Group

The “Space Systems for Planetology and Applications” (SSPA) scientific group focuses on one main area of research: The development of missions and associated technologies for geophysical exploration of the solar system.

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

News

The 11th Parachute Brigade and ISAE-SUPAERO sign a framework agreement for the development of innovative field drones

Signed on June 27th, this charter will be broken down into specific agreements based on future research topics in the field of drones.

Defence

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Partnership

Testimonials

Testimony of Juan-Carlos DOLADO-PEREZ, alumni of the 2008 Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Alumni

Space

Testimonial

Videos

Sophie Adenot is flying out on February 11th for a eight-month mission with Crew-12 on the ISS!

Today, the entire ISAE-SUPAERO community is coming together: students, staff, faculty, and alumni are showing their support for Sophie Adenot, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and ISAE-SUPAERO alumna, as she embarks on a eight-month mission to the ISS. Sophie is the second French woman, 30 years after Claudie Haigneré, to fly on a long-duration mission. On the ISS, she will conduct around 200 scientific experiments, including 10 French experiments, covering fields such as medicine and materials physics. Have a good flight, Sophie. We will be following you throughout this amazing journey!

Alumni

Exploration

Space

News

Hera probe captures exceptional images of Mars and its moon Deimos

DEOS

Researcher

Science

News

Mission Insight: the contribution of researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO

The InSight lander deployed by NASA recorded two earthquakes that occurred on Mars in 2021, providing scientists with exceptional data, the first direct observations ever made of a planet's core.

DEOS

Space

Pages

MBDA – Excellence scholarships

MBDA, a European leader in missile and missile system design, wishes to support the training of engineers and managers for the aerospace and defense industry through the award of excellence scholarships.

Aeronautics

Chair

Defence

Testimonials

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

DCAS

Space

Teacher researcher

News

Meeting with Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez, elected member of the Air and Space Academy

At ISAE-SUPAERO, Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez heads SaCLaB, a research laboratory focusing on future space systems. A professor of space systems engineering, she has just been elected to the French Air and Space Academy.

Award

Space

Teacher researcher

News

Pride, excellence and spirit of promotion: ISAE-SUPAERO is preparing to celebrate its 2025 graduates!

Our 2025 graduation ceremonies will celebrate excellence and community pride on 6 December 2025, honouring more than 600 graduates from our programmes, accompanied by distinguished guests and numerous prestigious awards.

Award

Event

News

ISAE-SUPAERO and its talented students are once again showcasing Toulouse’s dynamism on the international stage

At ISAE-SUPAERO, talented students continue to distinguish themselves, both in the academic world and in the realm of innovation: a look back at the Amelia Earhart Award won by Elena Lopez-Contreras, a doctoral student at the Neuroergonomics Center, and at the French final of the ActInSpace hackathon, won by her team Solete for their Satell-EYE project.

DCAS

Event

Human factors

Events

Defense & Security Engineering Webinar

Defence

Defense & Security Engineer

Webinar

News

3 questions to... Marie-Bertille Mosnier, S-Cube member from 2018 to 2022

Meet Marie-Bertille Mosnier, member of the S-Cube - SUPAERO Space Section - ISAE-SUPAERO's experimental rocket club, from 2018 to 2022.

Space

Student club

Student life

News

Luca Parmitano, Artemis III astronaut: an ISAE-SUPAERO graduate at the heart of the next step in the return to the Moon

On June 9, 2026, NASA announced the crew for Artemis III, a key mission in the U.S. lunar program scheduled for 2027.

Advanced Master

Alumni

Space

Defense & Security Engineering Webinar

Publication Date

28 May 2026

Category

Tag

Defence

Defense & Security Engineer

Webinar

On Tuesday 9 June, from 6pm to 7.30pm, ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO are hosting an information webinar for those eligible to take part in the Mines-Telecom competition, dedicated to their joint Defence and Security course.

The heads of the programme, Caroline Berard and Rémy Thibaud, will present the course and its special features and answer your questions.

ISAE-SUPAERO at the Forefront of AI Challenges in Defense and Security

Publication Date

06 April 2026

Category

Event

Tag

Aerospace

Artificial intelligence

Defence

Event

The Future Intelligence forum

On 24 March 2026, ISAE-SUPAERO hosted the Future Intelligence forum, dedicated to artificial intelligence for defence, security and resilience. Let’s take a look back at a day rich in exchanges, which explored three major issues:

AI for imaging and its critical applications,
Technological sovereignty and the industrialisation of solutions,
Complementarity between AI and human expertise.

Find out how the Institute is helping to shape the future of AI, with talks by Henry de Plinval and Thomas Oberlin.

A day introduced by Henry de Plinval

Henry de Plinval, Director of Research and Educational Resources at ISAE-SUPAERO, opened the day by emphasising the strategic importance of AI for sovereignty and security issues. His speech underlined the Institute’s key role in research and innovation, as well as its determination to unite public and private players around major technological challenges.

A day to imagine the AI of tomorrow

Organised by Future Intelligence, this forum explored the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI in critical areas. Discussions focused on the transformation of information processing chains, from data capture to decision-making, via analysis and interpretation.

The aim is to strengthen technological sovereignty, guarantee the reliability of systems and optimise the interaction between humans and machines.

The speakers

Ludovic Trépin – Head of Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity for La Mêlée
Thomas Oberlin – Teacher and researcher atISAE-SUPAERO
Vincent André – Engineer specialising in Data and Artificial Intelligence for the French Armed Forces Space Innovation Laboratory
Pierre Nicolas Tiffreau – CTO and co-founder of Picsella
Christine Fernandez-Martin – Managing Director ofAGENIUM Space
Arnault Lemoine – Practice Leader – IoT & Smart City for SCC

ISAE-SUPAERO, a key player in AI innovation for imaging

One of the highlights of the day was the round table devoted toAI for imaging, which highlighted the research being carried out at ISAE-SUPAERO. Thomas Oberlin, a lecturer and researcher in AI and imaging, shared his expertise with entrepreneurs, engineers and other researchers.

A specialist in machine learning applied to image processing and interpretation, Thomas Oberlin works on a wide range of issues, including AI-based image compression, satellite image super-resolution, spectral image fusion for the James Webb telescope, and vision-based navigation and pathology detection in medical imaging. His research focuses on the use of generative models to quantify uncertainty, while incorporating physical knowledge to improve the robustness of systems.

Since 2025, he has been involved in the ANITI RELEO chair, which aims to develop multi-modal generative models for Earth observation, in relation to climate and biodiversity issues.

"AI technologies for imaging and vision have been mature for several years, but the transition from demonstrators to industrialisation remains a major challenge. In critical applications, quantifying uncertainties is a concrete way of reassuring users and improving the acceptability of these methods.

Thomas Oberlin teacher-researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO

Rich and forward-looking discussions

The round table addressed a number of key issues:

The maturity of technologies: While AI for imaging is now mature, the transition from demonstrators to industrialisation remains a major challenge for the industry.
Confidence and explainability: In critical applications, particularly in defence, the performance of models depends on the quality of the data. Quantifying uncertainties is a promising way of improving the acceptability of AI methods.
People at the heart of the process: Business expertise remains essential for validating and interpreting results, underlining the complementary nature of AI and human intelligence.

Towards a sovereign and responsible AI

Discussions also focused on the challenges of technological sovereignty, the ability to industrialise and deploy large-scale solutions, and the technical trade-offs between cloud, embedded and on-premise. The question of reliability versus speed was also raised, prompting reflection on the compromises needed to meet operational requirements.

ISAE-SUPAERO, committed to future challenges

By hosting this event, ISAE-SUPAERO is reaffirming its central role in AI research and innovation, serving major societal and industrial challenges. The AI research carried out within the institute in a variety of fields illustrates the institute’s commitment to high-performance, reliable and sovereign AI, for the benefit of defence, security and resilience.

8th edition of Future Intelligence

Publication Date

18 March 2026

Category

Tag

Artificial intelligence

Cyber

Defence

Event

Innovation

AI for defense and security

ISAE-SUPAERO welcomes Future Intelligence on 26 March 2026!

Autonomous drones in theatres of operation, cyber attacks on critical infrastructures, intelligence algorithms capable of processing unprecedented volumes of data…

Technology is profoundly reconfiguring the security balance. The question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will transform defence, but how quickly and according to what rules.

These are precisely the issues that Future Intelligence is addressing at its one-day event on our campus: an exceptional opportunity to shed light on these strategic issues. Public decision-makers, defence experts, researchers, industrialists, digital specialists, civil security players and innovation leaders will come to share their vision and draw up a state of the art of AI in the service of protection, sovereignty and resilience.

𝐀𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 :

✦ Defence AI and dual technologies – understanding the bidirectional dynamics between military and civilian uses.

✦ Digital dependency, cyber threats and sovereignty – which technologies to guarantee the continuity of the Nation?

✦ Networking sessions – three discussion sessions dedicated to bringing together players in the ecosystem.

The day will be introduced by Henry de Plinval, Director of Research at ISAE-SUPAERO, and will include a talk by Thomas Orbelin, teacher-researcher in artificial intelligence and imaging. His work focuses on machine learning applied to image processing and computer vision. He is particularly interested in the use of generative neural networks to solve inverse problems within a Bayesian framework, enabling uncertainties to be quantified. His research has major applications in space imagery, for observation of both the Earth and the Universe.

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞́𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 :

𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘛𝘐𝘛𝘜𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚 & 𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘙𝘐𝘛𝘖𝘐𝘙𝘌𝘚

Occitanie Region – Marc Sztulman – Toulouse Métropole

𝘋𝘌́𝘍𝘌𝘕𝘚𝘌

AMIAD – Air and Space Command – Vincent André –

𝘙𝘌𝘊𝘏𝘌𝘙𝘊𝘏𝘌 & 𝘐𝘕𝘕𝘖𝘝𝘈𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕

ANITI – Romaric Redon – ONERA – IRT – IRIT – CEA – INRIA

𝐔𝐧 𝐞́𝐯𝐞́𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨-𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞́ 𝐩𝐚𝐫 :

advanced business events, AD’OCC, ANITI, Cyber’Occ, Ekitia, Hub France IA, NXU

𝐄𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐜 :

Aktantis, Aerospace Valley, ISAE SUPAERO, Primus

𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐜 𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞 :

Occitanie Region, Toulouse Métropole

Registrations

ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO will launch a new “Defense & Security” engineering programme starting in the 2026 academic year

Publication Date

11 December 2025

Category

Education

Tag

Defence

Security

At the start of the 2026 academic year, ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO are launching a new engineering course dedicated to advanced engineering and complex systems for the strategic fields of defence and security and, more generally, the technological sovereignty of dual and civil industries.

Designed in partnership with the manufacturers of the Defence Technological and Industrial Base (BITD) and the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), this course aims to equip France and Europe with the scientific and technical skills that are essential to maintaining their strategic autonomy and supporting innovation in sensitive sectors, both civil and military.

Accredited by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), this three-year course is mainly accessible via the Mines-Télécom competitive entrance exam. It prepares multidisciplinary engineers – civil and military – capable of meeting scientific and industrial challenges in key sectors: cyber security, artificial intelligence, naval engineering, land engineering, aeronautical and space engineering.

A joint engineering degree: a first in France

This unique programme leads to a prestigious engineering degree awarded jointly by ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO – an innovation supported by the CTI, industry and the French Ministry of Defence. The aim is to train around a hundred engineers each year, including 50 military IETA engineers (engineers for armament studies and techniques), capable of designing, evaluating and piloting complex high-performance systems in France and abroad.

A springboard to strategic careers

Future graduates will work in sectors at the heart of the challenges of sovereignty, security and high technology. They will have responsibilities ranging from research and development to the management of innovative projects, in demanding and often international environments.

Highly qualified engineers

These men and women, both military and civilian, are trained to design, develop and pilot the most complex, high-performance systems for all types of environment, seeking technological superiority and breakthrough innovations.

A project supported by two Grandes Ecoles

"Our two engineering schools have decided to combine their expertise to create a unique course dedicated to the engineering of complex defence and security systems. This multi-disciplinary course will enhance the range of generalist and specialist training offered by our institutions, while meeting the increasingly sophisticated strategic technological needs of the civil and defence industrial sectors".

Estelle Iacona and Marie-Hélène Baroux, Presidents of ENSTA and ISAE-SUPAERO

Key points of the programme

Engineering degree accredited by the CTI (Commission du titre d'ingénieur)
2 student statuses to choose from: student (civilian) or student military engineer (IETA corps: engineer for armament studies and techniques)
3 years of training after bac+2 (bac+5)
Admissions : 99 places, mainly through the Mines-Télécom competitive entrance examination after scientific preparatory classes (CPGE)
3 work placements, representing 9 to 10 months' experience
International mobility ofat least 16 weeks
Common ^1st year on the ENSTA campus in Brest
3 specialisation options, on 3 campuses: naval and land systems, on the ENSTA Brest campus; cyber and AI, on the ENSTA Paris-Saclay campus; aeronautics and space on the ISAE-SUPAERO Toulouse campus.

Focus on the "Aeronautics and Space" option at ISAE-SUPAERO

Offered in semesters 4 and 5, the Aeronautics & Space option, taught at ISAE-SUPAERO, will train engineers capable of mastering all aeronautics and space technologies, from the design of architectures to the operational integration of the most advanced systems.

The option covers aeronautics, space systems and launchers as well as missiles, drones and helicopters. Combining fundamental sciences, applied engineering and design projects, it prepares students to meet the major technological challenges associated with defence, security and the major aeronautics and space industries.

Find out more about training

Consult the brochure (in French)

Discover the training programme

MBDA – Excellence scholarships

Publication Date

22 October 2025

Category

Tag

Aeronautics

Chair

Defence

MBDA - Excellence scholarships

2025-2029

MBDA, a European leader in the design of missiles and missile systems, wishes to support the training of engineers and managers for the aerospace and defence industry through the award of excellence scholarships.

This partnership will award scholarships to 12 high-potential students, covering their tuition fees and part of their living expenses.

Initiated in 2013, the MBDA scholarships represent a major lever ofattractiveness and international influence for ISAE-SUPAERO.

Thanks to its success, this programme, which has evolved over the years, has enabled and will continue to enable 46 students to follow a course of excellence at ISAE-SUPAERO.

Head of the Chair

Lise Brivot

Head of Corporate and Alumni Relations

Lise Brivot

Head of Corporate and Alumni Relations

+33 5 61 33 80 80

5th edition of the “Defense and Innovation” Forum

Publication Date

08 September 2025

Category

Tag

Conference

Defence

Event

Innovation

Defence Innovation Forum 2025

Innovating to prepare for tomorrow's defence

The Defence Innovation Agency is organising the 5ᵉ edition of the Defence Innovation Forum (DIF).

This event will be held:

📍Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles
🗓️27, 28 and 29 November.

The programme for this not-to-be-missed event includes:

➕100 innovation projects on show,
➕100 exhibitors in the ecosystem area,
🎤conferences and round tables,
🤖pitching and entertainment.

📋Registrations are now open on the dedicated website ➡️ www.defense.gouv.fr/fid

Advanced Master in Aeronautics Operational Sustainment for State Aircraft – AERO OPS SA

Publication Date

20 May 2025

Category

Tag

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Career

Defence

Advanced Master in Aerospace Project Management – APM

Publication Date

15 May 2025

Category

Tag

Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Defence

Space

“Les Entretiens de Toulouse – Training through debate”: April 9 & 10, 2025 on the ISAE-SUPAERO campus

Publication Date

01 April 2025

Category

Tag

Aeronautics

Artificial intelligence

Defence

Event

Innovation

Meeting

Space

PRINCIPLE OF THE EVENT

The Entretiens de Toulouse were set up in 2008 with the aim of promoting a no-holds-barred dialogue between all the players in the aerospace sector to facilitate the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge!

The course is organised aroundthemedTalks spread over 4 half-days.

Participants choose 1 Talk per half-day from the 17 areas of discussion and 68 Talks on offer, and build their own “à la carte” training programme over 2 days.

Each Talk is attended by a maximum of 25 people. One or more recognised experts present the subject of the Talk for around 30 minutes, followed by discussion and debate in the audience. Members of the Académie de l’Air et de l’Espace act as moderators, ensuring the quality of the discussions.

To prepare for these Talks, the experts’ contributions are grouped together in a book, which is sent out one month before the Talks to registered participants. Participants can therefore choose which Interview(s) they will attend and prepare the questions they wish to ask, either in advance via this website or directly at the Interview.

No record of the discussions will be published following the Interviews, in order to guarantee industrial confidentiality.