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

Publication Date

09 December 2025

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Exploration

Space

Nicolas André, a teacher-researcher on secondment to the Department of Electronics, Optronics and Signal at ISAE-SUPAERO and CNRS research director at the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP), has co-authored a major discovery on the functioning of Jupiter's magnetosphere.

This work, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveals how Jupiter's disc of magnetised plasma manages to maintain its equilibrium despite constant disturbances.

A decades-old enigma finally solved

Jupiter is surrounded by a spectacular structure: a disc of magnetised plasma, the magnetodisc, formed from the matter ejected by Io, its closest volcanic moon. This disc converts Jupiter’s rotational energy into plasma energy, but is constantly subject to turbulence, from small local instabilities to global magnetic reconfigurations. For decades, scientists have been wondering how this system manages to remain stable.

Data from the Juno mission reveals the secret

Thanks to data from NASA’s Juno mission, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, an international research team coordinated by Zhi-Yang Liu, a post-doctoral fellow with Nicolas André and Michel Blanc from IRAP, has unravelled this mystery. The researchers systematically measured the plasma’s pressure anisotropy, i.e. the difference between pressure perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field, using Juno’s JADE and JEDI instruments.

What we discovered was that the plasma in the magnetodisc has its own natural regulators. As soon as it accumulates too much energy by moving away from its stable equilibrium zone, instabilities are triggered spontaneously - like automatic safety valves. These instabilities generate waves that redistribute the excess energy and return the system to a stable state.

Nicolas André ISAE-SUPAERO Teacher-researcher

Three types of instability act as regulators

Three types of instability – mirror, cyclotron and firehose – act as regulating mechanisms. The firehose instability plays a particularly important role by dissipating the free energy produced during sudden magnetic reconfigurations, particularly Fermi acceleration, where particles gain energy by bouncing between moving magnetic structures.

“Juno even detected these fluctuations in action, confirming that the plasma regulates itself by emitting waves,” explains the researcher. “It’s like observing the autonomic nervous system of a living organism that automatically maintains its homeostasis.”

Prospects for future Jovian missions

“These regulatory mechanisms could be at work in other rapidly rotating magnetospheres, such as Saturn’s, or even in astrophysical disks,” points out Nicolas André. “Our results open up new perspectives for interpreting the future observations of the JUICE mission, which will arrive in the Jovian system in 2031. We will then have even more sophisticated instruments with which to study these fundamental processes.

Schéma du disque magnétique de plasma, le magnétodisque (zone bleue), dans le système de Jupiter. Cette illustration inclut également Jupiter, Io, le tore d'Io (zone orange entourant Io), l'ionosphère jovienne (zone verte entourant Jupiter), les lignes de champ magnétique (courbes noires) et la trajectoire de Juno par rapport au magnétodisque. / Diagram of the plasma magnetic disk, the magnetodisk (blue region), in the Jovian system. This illustration also includes Jupiter, Io, the Io torus (orange region surrounding Io), the Jovian ionosphere (green region surrounding Jupiter), the magnetic field lines (black curves), and Juno’s trajectory relative to the magnetodisk.

A major boost to planetary expertise at ISAE-SUPAERO

This work is fully in line with the activities of the Space Systems for Planetology and Applications (SSPA) research group in the Electronics, Optronics and Signal Department at ISAE-SUPAERO. The SSPA group focuses on the development of missions and associated technologies for the geophysical exploration of the solar system, with a particular emphasis on the internal structure of telluric planets and the coupling between surfaces, atmospheres and plasmas.

Nicolas André, who joined ISAE-SUPAERO in March 2024, is a major addition to this centre of excellence. A recognised specialist in planetary space plasmas and comparative magnetospheric physics, he brings his expertise to major current and future space missions, including JUICE (which will study the Jovian system from 2031), BepiColombo (en route to Mercury), and Comet Interceptor (in development).

ISAE-SUPAERO, a key player in space exploration

The Institute has also made other major contributions to space exploration. Naomi Murdoch, a researcher in planetology at DEOS, was recently awarded an ERC Consolidator grant for her GRAVITE project, which aims to design a variable-gravity machine to study extraterrestrial soils.

Students from ISAE-SUPAERO have also published scientific results in Nature Communications concerning NASA’s DART mission.

Beyond Jupiter, this fundamental research is contributing to our understanding of planetary space environments, energy transport mechanisms and the complex interactions between magnetic fields and plasmas - essential knowledge for future exploration of the solar system.

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

Publication Date

04 December 2025

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Exploration

Space

CNES has announced that NASA has selected the SPSS (South Pole Seismic Station) instrument as part of the Artemis IV mission, scheduled for launch in 2028. ISAE-SUPAERO is fully committed to this new international space adventure, contributing our scientific and technical expertise to the development of this seismic station, which will be deployed by astronauts at the lunar South Pole.

Toulouse's expertise at the service of scientific exploration of the Moon

This selection represents a major step forward in the exploration of our natural satellite: SPSS will be the most sensitive seismology instrument ever built to study earthquakes at the Moon's South Pole.

Recognised expertise in instrumental characterisation

At the heart of this project, our Institute’s SSPA team is mobilising its skills in advanced sensor characterisation.

The team plays a key role in characterising the properties of the geophone sensors that will be embedded in SPSS. In our performance test laboratory, we analyse the noise levels and instrumental response of the sensors. This stage is crucial for selecting the best devices and ensuring that they remain fully operational after the rigours of space qualification - intense vibrations, extreme temperatures, etc.

Raphaël F. Garcia ISAE-SUPAERO teacher-researcher and co-investigator of the instrument

Our Institute is also contributing to the design of the mechanical support that will house these sensors on the lunar surface, and will provide its expertise in training astronauts to deploy the instrument suite.

From Mars to the Moon: international scientific continuity

ISAE-SUPAERO’s participation is part of a prestigious international collaboration initiated with the InSight mission to Mars in 2018.

Developed under the direction of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL ), SPSS benefits from major contributions from CNES,IPGP, JAXA and the University of Tokyo. The three geophones integrated into the instrument are the result of a partnership between IPGP and SLB, with ISAE-SUPAERO contributing its expertise in space qualification of these sensors, originally designed for terrestrial applications.

Unlocking the secrets of the Moon’s internal structure

In addition to our technical role, ISAE-SUPAERO will play a key scientific role. As SPSS Co-Investigator, Raphaël F. Garcia will analyse the seismic data recorded to study the Moon’s interior.

“The methods we recently used to obtain the structure of the crust under the Apollo 16 station can be adapted to the South Pole”, he explains.
“SPSS will give us a unique opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Moon’s internal structure, in a region that has so far remained unexplored seismologically.”

A major French contribution to preparing for future explorations

By combining instrumental innovation, operational expertise and scientific excellence, ISAE-SUPAERO, alongside CNES and IPGP, is strengthening France's position as a leader in the seismological exploration of planets. ISAE-SUPAERO, in collaboration with CNES and IPGP, will also supply the first seismometer deployed on an asteroid (SIA, Seismometer Instrument for Asteroids) as part of the ESA RAMSES mission to the Apophis asteroid, funding for which was confirmed at the ESA ministerial conference on 27 November 2025.

An Engineer’s Journey Rewarded

Alexandre Bouraoui Takes Gold at the 2025 International Astronautical Congress

Publication Date

02 December 2025

Category

Event

Tag

Congress

DEOS

Event

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.

Can you present yourself and speak about your acadmic path?

I was born in France and grown in Tunisia.

Before joining ISAE-SUPAERO, I graduated from a BUT in Physical Measurements (Mesures Physiques) at the University of Toulouse.

I am currently a final-year student of the “Diplôme d’ingénieur” by Apprenticeship (‘Industrialisation and Methods for Aeronautics and Space’) at ISAE-SUPAERO. I am also doing an apprenticeship at Thales Alenia Space as a payload architect apprentice for communication satellites, where I develop simulation and analysis tools for other architects.

You were awarded the Hermann Oberth Gold Medal at IAC 2025 in Sydney. Why did you receive this prize?

I received this award after being selected by the Aeronautics and Astronautics Association of France (3AF) to represent France in the student competition at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney.

There, I presented a paper entitled “Characterization of the Stationarity of an ICP Plasma”. This work focuses on studying plasma stability and was carried out within the PAMPA team of the Electronics, Optronics, and Signal Department (DEOS) at ISAE-SUPAERO, under the supervision of Romain Pascaud and Valentin Mazières. The project began during my second year as part of an introductory research module: I had personally contacted Dr. Pascaud to work on this topic, driven by my strong interest in plasma physics and electric propulsion—two of my passions.

I had the tremendous honor of winning the Hermann Oberth Gold Medal for the best student paper in the main category (“Graduate”) during the closing ceremony, in front of more than a thousand people.

The IAC was an exceptional opportunity for networking, learning about the space sector, and experiencing such a magnificent environment as Sydney.

Can you tell us about your current studies at ISAE-SUPAERO? Why did you choose this programme?

I chose the “Diplôme d’ingénieur” by Apprenticeship (‘Industrialisation and Methods for Aeronautics and Space’) programme because it provides a better understanding of the professional world through hands-on experience.

I particularly appreciate the alternating schedule (two months at school, two months in the company), which I find very suitable: it allows us to fully focus either on the academic side or on our professional assignments. Moreover, this format has helped ease the financial burden on my parents. They supported me a lot during my undergraduate studies, but it would have been difficult for them to continue assisting me throughout the additional three years of the engineering programme.

What are your career plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to focus on research in satellite electric propulsion, either as an engineer or by starting a PhD, as this is what I am most passionate about. However, I am not closing the door to aerospace engineering in all its aspects, a field I greatly enjoy through my current experience at Thales Alenia Space.

Learn more about the "Diplôme d'ingénieur" by Apprenticeship ('Industrialisation and Methods for Aeronautics and Space')

Testimony from Alexandre Bouraoui, engineering student by apprenticeship and IAC 2025 Award Winner

Publication Date

01 December 2025

Category

Tag

Aeronautics

Aerospace

Congress

DEOS

Prize

Can you present yourself and speak about your acadmic path?

I was born in France and grown in Tunisia.

Before joining ISAE-SUPAERO, I graduated from a BUT in Physical Measurements (Mesures Physiques) at the University of Toulouse.

You were awarded the Hermann Oberth Gold Medal at IAC 2025 in Sydney. Why did you receive this prize?

The IAC was an exceptional opportunity for networking, learning about the space sector, and experiencing such a magnificent environment as Sydney.

Can you tell us about your current studies at ISAE-SUPAERO? Why did you choose this programme?

What are your career plans after graduation?

Learn more about the "Diplôme d'ingénieur" by Apprenticeship ('Industrialisation and Methods for Aeronautics and Space')

Understanding Extraterrestrial Soil Mechanics Through Low-Gravity Laboratory Testing

Publication Date

14 November 2025

Category

Tag

DEOS

Job

PhD

The goal of this thesis is to further our understanding of the response of planetary surfaces to geotechnical testing – in particular dynamic penetration testing.

📌There is a possibility for the student to complete a 3-to-6-month Masters-level internship on this project before starting the
PhD.

Capturing the seismic activity of an asteroid: our Apophis rendezvous

Publication Date

10 June 2025

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Research

Space

Our meeting on Apophis

Asteroid exploration is always a topical issue at ISAE-SUPAERO. Researchers with expertise in the sciences of the Universe, who are heavily involved in international planetary defence missions such as NASA’s DART and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) HERA, have a challenge to take up on Apophis: the design of a seismometer to be carried on board a CubeSat. A team of scientists and engineers is hard at work, with a target date of 2029.

"The first-ever seismometer on an asteroid

On 13 April 2029, the 375-metre Apophis asteroid will graze the Earth without danger. With this in mind, the European Space Agency – ESA – is preparing the Ramses mission (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety), which should be launched in 2028 if it receives sufficient support. Ramses will observe Apophis during its flyby using a main probe and two CubeSats. The aim is to study the asteroid: its shape, surface, rotation, orbit and response to Earth-induced tidal forces. This data will help us to better understand the behaviour of asteroids and develop strategies for deflecting them in the event of a future threat.

One of the Ramses mission’s CubeSats will use radar to analyse the internal structure and dust around Apophis, while the other CubeSat will measure its seismic activity using the Seismic Instrument for Asteroids (SIA). The SIA is being developed at ISAE-SUPAERO by the Space Systems for Planetology and Applications (SSPA) research team, in collaboration with CNES, and with the scientific support of the Institut du Globe de Paris (IPGP).

Since the beginning of planetary exploration, seismometers have been key instruments for probing the interior of planetary bodies. They have been deployed on the surface of the Moon, Mars and Venus, but never before on an asteroid. ” The SIA instrument will therefore be the very first seismometer to operate on an asteroid. We expect the gravitational pull of the Earth during the close encounter with Apophis to generate earthquakes in the asteroid that we will be able to record “, explains Naomi Murdoch, the scientific manager of this scientific instrument, with enthusiasm.

For her part, electronics engineer Pauline Carpi explains: ” SIA, which is about the size of a milk carton, will carry our capable sensors and the electronics to control the instrument and acquire the data.

” This seismometer is the culmination of more than a decade of research and development at ISAE-SUPAERO, incorporating advances in projects such as CNES’s Apophis 2029 studies, ESA’s COPINS CubeSats and the European Commission’s NEO-MAPP Horizon 2020 project,” comments Raphaël Garcia, a researcher in planetary geophysics and SIA project leader.

For his part, Tomohiro Ishizuka, a researcher in astrodynamics and robust control in the Aerospace Vehicle Design and Control research department at ISAE-SUPAERO, is working on the Ramses mission on the tricky part of landing the CubeSat deployed from the main spacecraft. ” We’re working to ensure that the CubeSat lands safely in a well-lit area during the hours when Apophis passes closest to Earth,” he explains.

We’ll be there!

DEOS Research

Integrated Image Sensors (CIMI) Scientific Group

Publication Date

29 April 2025

Category

Tag

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

Post-doctorate

Researcher

Science

Scientific publication

Space

Teacher researcher

Thesis

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.

The CIMI group’s research challenges and objectives address the need to integrate, miniaturise, and improve the performance of image sensors.

These are the key components of cameras, vision systems for space instruments, or imaging systems hardened against ionising radiation.

A CIS detector consists essentially of a matrix of pixels to recover a voltage value proportional to the photons detected, a readout circuit to process the voltage values of all the pixels, and decoders to address the pixels.

We are cooperating with:

Airbus Defence & Space to develop image sensors and space instruments, since 1994 (CRISTAL corporate chair established in 2009)
CEA-DAM, since 2010 (joint research team since 2012) on the study of the vulnerability of imagers in severe radiative (nuclear) environments
CNES as part of R&D projects, since 2002
STMicroelectronics on R&D projects, since 2005
Thales Alenia Space to develop image sensors (corporate chair established in 2015)

Our Research Areas

The CIMI group focuses its work on four main themes:

Physics: Nano-/microelectronics / integrated circuits / physics of semiconductor devices / physics of photodetection

Development: Study and development of image sensors on silicon for visible and infrared radiation

Radiation: Effects of space and nuclear radiation on image sensors and hardening by design

Cryogenics: Electronics at cryogenic temperature

Access OPEN SCIENCE to find all our publications, theses, scientific instruments and technology platforms

Our Research and Development

In Collaboration with Manufacturers

A CIMI detector on the Copernicus satellite for the LSTM (Land Surface Temperature Monitoring) mission, to be designed in 2021.
A CIMI detector on the GEO-KOMPSAT-2B (Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-2) satellite, designed in 2014.
A CIMI detector on the Sentinel 2-A and 2-B earth observation satellites, designed in 2011.
A CIMI detector to establish an optical link, via the atmosphere, between an airborne carrier representative of future UAVs and ESA's ARTEMIS geostationary satellite, designed in 2006.
A CIMI detector in the GEO-KOMPSAT-1 (Geostationary - Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-1) or COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite) satellite, designed in 2005.

The optical link between an aircraft and a satellite is a world first. An APS (Active Pixel Sensor) in space is a world first for the CIMI sensor in the GEO-KOMPSAT-1 satellite, which was positioned in geostationary orbit in 2010.

A CIMI detector hardened to ionising radiation (above 1 MGy) for in situ characterization of nuclear waste, designed in 2020.
A CIMI detector hardened to ionising radiation (above 1 MGy) for remote vision and inspection during remote handling operations of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), designed in 2019.

As far as the ITER reactor is concerned, the CIMI detector is capable of obtaining good quality images after 1MGy of radiation. This is a world first!

Our Research Projects

An image sensor contributing to the development of ITER

The FURHI_VGA detector is a 10-bit digital colour image sensor in VGA format (contract in partnership with Fusion For Energy (F4E)). This detector is based on CMOS image sensors (CIS), for remote vision and inspection during the remote handling operations of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). F4E is responsible to the European Union (EU) for ITER, the world's largest scientific partnership to demonstrate that fusion is a viable and sustainable energy source.

ITER is a civil nuclear fusion research reactor project located in Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône). The research project is part of a long-term approach aimed at the industrialisation of nuclear fusion.

The FURHI_VGA detector is a radiation-resistant 10-bit digital VGA colour image sensor.

An image sensor on the GEO-KOMPSAT-2B (Geostationary - Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-2) satellite

The LARGO7M detector is a 7 million pixel image sensor that provides 2500km x 2500km images centred on South Korea with a resolution of 250m in different spectral bands (colours) from 370nm to 900nm. It enables short-term changes in the coastal environment around Korea to be observed, quantified, and predicted. The GEO-KOMPSAT-2B satellite was launched into orbit on 18 February 2020.

Mission lifetime: 10 years
Position: Geostationary orbit, 35,786 km above the Earth
Spectral bands: 12 bands in the visible spectrum
Ground resolution: 250m x 250m -over Korea
Target area: 2500km x 2500km

The image sensor is integrated by ADS with its proximity electronics and then placed in the telescope. A filter wheel selects the 12 spectral bands by placing a coloured filter in front of the 7 million pixel image sensor.

An image detector in the COMS satellite (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite)

The COBRA2M detector is a 2 million pixel image sensor that provides 2500km x 2500km images centred on South Korea with a resolution of 500m in 8 different spectral bands (colours) from 400nm to 900nm. It is used to observe, quantify, and predict short-term changes in the coastal environment around Korea. The COMS satellite was launched into orbit on 27 June 2010.

Mission lifetime: 7 years
Position: Geostationary orbit, 35,786 km above the Earth
Spectral bands: 8 bands in the visible spectrum
Ground resolution: 500m x 500m above Korea
Target area: 2500km x 2500km

The image sensor is integrated by ADS with its proximity electronics and then placed in the telescope. A filter wheel selects the 8 spectral bands by placing a coloured filter in front of the 2 million pixel image sensor.

An image detector in the SENTINEL 2A and 2B satellites

The VNIR S2 detector is a low-noise multi-array image sensor (contract in partnership with ADS and ESA). This sensor is on board two Sentinel 2 satellites, which observe the whole of the Earth's surface every 10 days, with a resolution of 10 m to 60 m, in 13 spectral bands ranging from the visible to the mid-infrared.

The data is mainly used in the fields of agriculture, forestry, land use, habitat characterisation, and biodiversity. They are also used to observe and prevent natural disasters, such as floods, volcanic eruptions, subsidence, and landslides. The Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellites were launched into orbit on 23 June 2015 and 7 March 2017 respectively.

Mission lifetime: 7.25 years for each satellite over a 20-year period
Principle of the instrument: Pushbroom
Position : Two identical satellites operating simultaneously, in phase at 180° to each other, in a sun-synchronous orbit at an average altitude of 786 km

Repetition cycle: 5 days at the equator, using the full configuration of the two-satellite constellation and in cloud-free conditions
Swath width: 290 km
Spectral bands: 13 spectral bands, ranging from visible and near-infrared to infrared
Ground resolution: 10, 20, 60 metres

There are 12 elementary sensors per focal plane in each satellite.

An image detector in an aircraft to establish an optical link with the ARTEMIS geostationary satellite.

The LOLA (Liaison Optique Laser Aéroportée) project has established an optical link, via the atmosphere, between a Mystère XX aircraft and ESA's ARTEMIS geostationary satellite (prime contractor ADS). The APS 750 FAST CMOS sensor detects and tracks the satellite with a low level of received optical power. The wavelength of the communication beam is 850nm.

The physics of photodetection involves understanding and modelling, among other things:

Charge generation in silicon
The transfer of charges to the collection point (the photodiode), and the control of collection paths to avoid crosstalk
The origin of the dark current in an attempt to reduce it
How to design a photodiode, taking into account the materials used, in order to maximise its sensitivity, reduce the dark current, and maximise its total collection capacity

The means of understanding these phenomena, and even predicting them, are analytical modelling, physical mesh simulation (TCAD), and above all comparison with experimental data obtained using test structures or complete imagers.

Optical nanostructures and CMOS image sensors: Improving photodetection or functionalities (spectral filters, polarization) using nanostructures integrated directly into each pixel. The structures are either integrated into the production flow or transferred to the top of the sensor.
Methods used : Electromagnetic modelling using coupled waves and finite differences (Meep, Lumerical FDTD).
Examples of integrated planar microlenses

Research linked to cryogenic activities covers several areas:

Study of photodetection mechanisms for imagers used at extremely low temperatures (down to 80K) in the visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) wavelength ranges
Study of innovative readout chains for extracting information from cooled imagers (ROIC)
Extraction of physical models (physical simulation of semiconductors, TCAD) and electrical models (electrical simulation) of elementary microelectronic devices (MOSFET transistors, diodes, etc.)
Development and optimisation of cryogenic temperature measurement methods (from 10K to 300K)

Our Partners

Our Design and Measurement Resources

Linux workstations for circuit design
Word generators, low-noise power supplies, arbitrary signal generators
Calibrated electrical (oscilloscopes, logic analysers) and optical (power meter, spectroradiometer) analysis instruments
Transportable characterisation benches for characterisation needs on external sites
Electrical measurement equipment for basic boxed devices (from 300K to 10K)

Highly uniform and stable optical sources
Two monochromators for fine analysis of spectral sensitivity
Thermal chambers for temperature studies
Motorised translation stages for image quality measurements
Microscopes for observing circuits
A cryostat capable of holding complete imaging components and readout circuits for electrical and dark testing (from 300K to 80K)

A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for topographic analysis (observation of µlenses, cross-sectional views, etc.) and for extracting physical parameters using EBIC
A Scanning Near field Optical Microscope (SNOM) and an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to measure topography and intra-pixel sensitivity
A 350kV X-ray irradiator
A low-frequency noise characterisation bench capable of operating in a cryogenic environment

An annealing furnace
Two parametric analysers for semiconductor devices
An under-tip tester for measuring electrical parameters (leakage current, noise, capacitance, etc.) of unboxed imager structures
An under-tip tester in a cryogenic environment (Cryo tester from 300K to 80K) for measuring electrical parameters of elementary microelectronic devices (from bare circuits to 8″ wafers)

Discover... CMOS image sensors at ISAE-SUPAERO

Vincent GOIFFON

Head of CIMI Group

vincent.goiffon@isae-supaero.fr +33 5 61 33 80 80

Job Offers

Check out the vacancies for scientific staff in the research department

Thesis Offers

Check out the research department's thesis and post-doctorate vacancies

Internship Opportunities

Check out the Research Department's internship opportunities!

DEOS Scientific Publications

FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based adaptive roadmap

Saravanan Suchetan, Bains Anaïs, Ponzoni Carvalho Chanel Caroline, Vivet Damien, FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based...

09 Sep 2025 On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL

Bidon Stéphanie, Roche Sébastien, On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL. 2024, Signal Processing. 224. 109591

04 Sep 2023 Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling for Maximum User Admission in Smart Cities

Zivuku, Progress, Kisseleff, Steven, Nguyen, Van-Dinh, Martins, Wallace, Ntontin, Konstantinos, Chatzinotas, Symeon, Ottersten, Björn, Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling...

05 Dec 2023 Total Ionizing Dose Effects on a CDTI based CCD-on-CMOS through Buildup of Interface Traps and Oxide Charges

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Demiguel, Stéphane, Michelot Julien, Lalucaa Valerian, Virmontois Cédric, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon Vincent, Total...

30 Sep 2024 Dark Current and Clock-Induced Charges in a Fully Depleted Charge Domain CDTI-Based CCD-on-CMOS Image Sensor

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Tournier, Arnaud, Michelot Julien, Demiguel, Stéphane, Virmontois Cédric, Lalucaa Valerian, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon...

30 Sep 2024

DEOS Research

Photonics Antenna Microwave PlasmaA (PAMPA) Scientific Group

Publication Date

29 April 2025

Category

Tag

DEOS

Doctoral student

PhD

Post-doctorate

Researcher

Science

Scientific publication

Space

Teacher researcher

Thesis

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.

Our Research Themes

The PAMPA group focuses its work on two main themes:

Optoelectronics for Aerospace Payloads and Telecommunications (OPTO)

This activity focuses on photonic functions for signal generation or microwave functions (optoelectronic oscillator, frequency comb, coherent detection) as well as optical space communications (communication chain and effects of atmospheric turbulence on satellite-ground laser links).

Photonic-Microwave and Photonic Components

The design of photonic-microwave systems requires detailed knowledge of the physics of photonic components in order to develop models adapted to the various operating modes (static, dynamic, noise).

These models are validated experimentally using experimental benches dedicated to the various components and adapted to different frequency ranges (up to 65GHz). As we are targeting embedded applications, we also focus on the reliability of components in harsh environments, and more particularly on temperature constraints (tests from -65 to 200°C).

The team designs systems for generating microwave or digital signals for time and frequency reference. More specifically, OPTO designs Optoelectronic Oscillators and frequency combs based on VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser).

Satellite-Ground Laser Link/Open-Space Optical Communications

While fibre-optic telecommunications have enabled the Internet to be deployed between continents and make optimum use of wired terrestrial links, the proliferation of mobile devices means that the bandwidth of space and wireless communications has to be considerably increased. Free-space optics can be used to overcome the limitations of the radio frequency band. In partnership with the IRT Saint Exupéry, CNES, and AID, the team is studying ground satellite laser links.

The studies were carried out at various levels:

Participation in the IRT Saint-Exupéry ALBS project for the design of the ELLA BANC (Emulation de lien Laser Satellite Sol).
Production, in partnership with IRT Saint-Exupéry and the University of Technology of Catalonia, of a free propagation emulator (emulation of atmospheric turbulence).

Microwave Plasma Interaction (IMP)

This theme focuses on the interactions between microwave signals and plasma discharges.

Plasmas are used to design new reconfigurable microwave functions (e.g. antennas or passive circuits).

In addition, an understanding of the interaction mechanisms also enables efficient microwave plasma sources to be developed. Finally, these interactions are also studied in certain cases where they are involuntary and therefore undergone, for example during the integration of plasma thrusters and communication systems on satellites.

Access OPEN SCIENCE to find all our publications, theses, scientific instruments and technology platforms

Our Research Facilities

Discover... the ISAE-SUPAERO acoustic anechoic chamber

Angélique Rissons

Head of PAMPA Group

angelique.rissons@isae-supaero.fr +33 5 61 33 80 80

Job Offers

Check out the vacancies for scientific staff in the research department

Thesis Offers

Check out the research department's thesis and post-doctorate vacancies

Internship Opportunities

Check out the Research Department's internship opportunities!

DEOS Scientific Publications

FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based adaptive roadmap

Saravanan Suchetan, Bains Anaïs, Ponzoni Carvalho Chanel Caroline, Vivet Damien, FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based...

09 Sep 2025 On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL

Bidon Stéphanie, Roche Sébastien, On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL. 2024, Signal Processing. 224. 109591

04 Sep 2023 Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling for Maximum User Admission in Smart Cities

Zivuku, Progress, Kisseleff, Steven, Nguyen, Van-Dinh, Martins, Wallace, Ntontin, Konstantinos, Chatzinotas, Symeon, Ottersten, Björn, Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling...

05 Dec 2023 Total Ionizing Dose Effects on a CDTI based CCD-on-CMOS through Buildup of Interface Traps and Oxide Charges

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Demiguel, Stéphane, Michelot Julien, Lalucaa Valerian, Virmontois Cédric, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon Vincent, Total...

30 Sep 2024 Dark Current and Clock-Induced Charges in a Fully Depleted Charge Domain CDTI-Based CCD-on-CMOS Image Sensor

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Tournier, Arnaud, Michelot Julien, Demiguel, Stéphane, Virmontois Cédric, Lalucaa Valerian, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon...

30 Sep 2024

DEOS Research

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

Publication Date

29 April 2025

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Our Research Themes

The Navigation, Radar, and Remote Sensing (NAVIR²eS) group works on three themes related to signal and image processing, covering the entire perception chain:

Signal analysis and processing: Work is being carried out on signal enhancement to improve the performance of GNSS sensors, as well as on visible and multi- or hyperspectral image analysis techniques. In addition, GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) detection and analysis approaches are being developed. The aim of this work is to extract useful information from a raw signal in a relevant and efficient way.
Multi-source information fusion: Based on the information extracted from the signal, multi-information fusion approaches are being developed in the context of autonomous navigation. In particular, work is being carried out in the field of simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) applied to autonomous vehicle navigation.
Performance analysis: The navigation approaches developed in this way are also analysed in terms of achievable performance. New approaches to constrained filtering and performance boundary calculations are being studied to validate and evaluate the proposed methods.

Access OPEN SCIENCE to find all our publications, theses, scientific instruments and technology platforms

Our Research Areas

New GNSS system architectures

The team is working on the development of new GNSS receiver architectures, integrating multi-constellation and multi-frequency systems and developing new algorithmic approaches at signal level.

Multimodal hybrid navigation

We are studying multimodal hybridisation algorithms integrating, among other things, Vision, IMU, and GNSS for autonomous vehicle navigation and environment mapping.

Theoretical performance studies

Theoretical studies of the algorithmic performance of estimation approaches are also carried out. One of the objectives is to compensate for system modelling errors by using constrained estimators.

Approaches to environmental perception and analysis

With the aim of detecting and characterising the environment, the team is interested in signal processing approaches for multi/hyperspectral imaging, as well as reflectometry methods using GNSS signals (GNSS-R).

Eric Chaumette

Head of NAVIR²eS Group

eric.chaumette@isae-supaero.fr +33 5 61 33 80 80

Job Offers

Check out the vacancies for scientific staff in the research department

Thesis Offers

Check out the research department's thesis and post-doctorate vacancies

Internship Opportunities

Check out the Research Department's internship opportunities!

DEOS Scientific Publications

FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based adaptive roadmap

Saravanan Suchetan, Bains Anaïs, Ponzoni Carvalho Chanel Caroline, Vivet Damien, FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based...

09 Sep 2025 On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL

Bidon Stéphanie, Roche Sébastien, On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL. 2024, Signal Processing. 224. 109591

04 Sep 2023 Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling for Maximum User Admission in Smart Cities

Zivuku, Progress, Kisseleff, Steven, Nguyen, Van-Dinh, Martins, Wallace, Ntontin, Konstantinos, Chatzinotas, Symeon, Ottersten, Björn, Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling...

05 Dec 2023 Total Ionizing Dose Effects on a CDTI based CCD-on-CMOS through Buildup of Interface Traps and Oxide Charges

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Demiguel, Stéphane, Michelot Julien, Lalucaa Valerian, Virmontois Cédric, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon Vincent, Total...

30 Sep 2024 Dark Current and Clock-Induced Charges in a Fully Depleted Charge Domain CDTI-Based CCD-on-CMOS Image Sensor

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Tournier, Arnaud, Michelot Julien, Demiguel, Stéphane, Virmontois Cédric, Lalucaa Valerian, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon...

30 Sep 2024

DEOS Research

Communication and Information Theory (ComiT) Scientific Group

Publication Date

29 April 2025

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The ComIT group focuses its work on three main themes:

Designing efficient, robust, and secure waveforms

We are interested in the appropriate formatting of information, taking into account the characteristics of the propagation channels. We aim for energy and spectral efficiency, while considering the trade-off between robustness and security.

For example, we are looking at the construction of error-correcting codes for wiretap channels, transmission beyond the Nyquist rate, and the optimisation of multifunction waveforms (e.g. radar and communication). We are also interested in learning optimal waveforms and the associated decoders (e.g. auto-encoders).

Advanced reception techniques

We propose receivers adapted to increasingly realistic observation models. To achieve this, we use estimation/detection techniques based on Bayesian methods and/or supervised learning strategies (e.g. Monte Carlo methods using Markov chains, neural networks).

In addition to the performance criteria we are aiming for, we also focus on projects with controlled computational complexity. Examples include turbo equalisation and Bayesian variational filtering for phase tracking.

Efficient use of resources in a multi-user context

We are studying the problem of access to spectral resources in the context of multiple users, both cooperative and non-cooperative.

The first theoretical part aims to determine fundamental limits (e.g. capacity regions) and the second part focuses on the construction of random access methods and network coding specific to aeronautical and space systems.

Access OPEN SCIENCE to find all our publications, theses, scientific instruments and technology platforms

Our Research Areas

These themes fall into four research areas:

Spectrum sharing between radar and communication: A single waveform for both functions saves frequency resources and facilitates the integration of the underlying electronic systems (e.g. sharing of front-end and antennas).
Physical layer security: The inherent randomness of the propagation channel, and of certain electronic components, can be exploited to guarantee secure communications and key generation methods, in addition to cryptographic methods.
Broadband radar: Usually used for imaging, broadband radar can also be used to detect moving targets. By exploiting their range migration and the parsimony of the scene, an unambiguous mode can be obtained.
Learning techniques for the physical layer: Neural networks for building end-to-end communication chains (transmitters and receivers), with very low complexity or for channels that are difficult to model.

Damien Roque

Head of ComIT Group

damien.roque@isae-supaero.fr +33 5 61 33 80 80

Job Offers

Check out the vacancies for scientific staff in the research department

Thesis Offers

Check out the research department's thesis and post-doctorate vacancies

Internship Opportunities

Check out the Research Department's internship opportunities!

DEOS Scientific Publications

FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based adaptive roadmap

Saravanan Suchetan, Bains Anaïs, Ponzoni Carvalho Chanel Caroline, Vivet Damien, FIT-SLAM 2: Efficient 3D exploration with Fisher information and traversability-based...

09 Sep 2025 On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL

Bidon Stéphanie, Roche Sébastien, On the Equivalence between Kalman Filter at Steady State and DPLL. 2024, Signal Processing. 224. 109591

04 Sep 2023 Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling for Maximum User Admission in Smart Cities

Zivuku, Progress, Kisseleff, Steven, Nguyen, Van-Dinh, Martins, Wallace, Ntontin, Konstantinos, Chatzinotas, Symeon, Ottersten, Björn, Joint RIS-aided Precoding and Multislot Scheduling...

05 Dec 2023 Total Ionizing Dose Effects on a CDTI based CCD-on-CMOS through Buildup of Interface Traps and Oxide Charges

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Demiguel, Stéphane, Michelot Julien, Lalucaa Valerian, Virmontois Cédric, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon Vincent, Total...

30 Sep 2024 Dark Current and Clock-Induced Charges in a Fully Depleted Charge Domain CDTI-Based CCD-on-CMOS Image Sensor

Salih Alj Antoine, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Tournier, Arnaud, Michelot Julien, Demiguel, Stéphane, Virmontois Cédric, Lalucaa Valerian, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon...

30 Sep 2024

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Integrated Image Sensors (CIMI) Scientific Group

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

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DEOS Research

Communication and Information Theory (ComiT) Scientific Group

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