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Scientific and research integrity

Last Updated On 04 September 2025

ISAE-SUPAERO is one of the signatories of the National Charter of Ethics for Research Professions, adopted in January 2015 by the Conference of University Presidents (CPU) and all national research organizations, and incorporated into the Institute's internal regulations.

What is scientific integrity?

Scientific integrity refers to the set of rules and values that must govern research activities to ensure that they are honest and rigorous. Mentioned in the Research Code (article L. 211-2 of the Research Code), it “helps to guarantee the impartiality of research and the objectivity of its results”.

Scientific integrity is essential to the smooth running of research communities, and also forms the basis of a relationship of trust between the research community and other parts of society.

Beyond the specificities of each discipline, good practice in research is based on common principles, which are set out in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity:

Reliability in the design, methodology, analysis and use of resources;
Respect for colleagues, research participants, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage and the environment;
Honesty in designing, carrying out, evaluating and disseminating research in a transparent, fair, complete and objective manner;
Responsibility in carrying out research activities, from idea to publication, in their management and organisation, in training, in coaching and mentoring, and in the wider implications of research.

Scientific Integrity Officer at ISAE-SUPAERO

By signing this charter, the Institute undertakes to put in place an institutional policy on scientific integrity and to appoint a “scientific integrity referent”.

As such, Pierre Magnan, Professor Emeritus at the Institute, has been appointed Scientific Integrity Coordinator at ISAE-SUPAERO.

The role of the Scientific Integrity Officer (RIS) is to ensure that the Institute’s researchers comply with the main principles of scientific integrity as defined by OFIS, a department of Hceres, and set out in the European code of conduct and in the “French Charter of Ethics for Research Professions”: To aim for reliable, honest, respectful and responsible research and to combat breaches.

In particular, the referee must:

To provide information on the implementation of the programme, and on a regular basis, for new arrivals;
Participate in a training programme for doctoral students in conjunction with the École des Docteurs;
Ensure that the laboratory notebooks are regularly kept, via the departments;

Run a web page on the Institute’s website (raising awareness, examples of breaches);
Participate in the network of scientific integrity officers at the various institutions;
Keeping an up-to-date list of breaches, with regular reports to the Director General.

Scientific Integrity Coordinator (RIS) at ISAE-SUPAERO

For any request for advice or to report a possible breach of scientific integrity (SI):

Pierre Magnan

pierre.magnan@isae-supaero.fr
Professor Emeritus
Electronics, Optronics and Signal Department

What is a breach of scientific integrity?

Any practice that undermines the reliability of results and the proper functioning of research communities is likely to constitute a breach of scientific integrity. A breach may concern all aspects of research activities in all disciplines, whether public or private.

Instruction procedure

Any person acting in good faith who is aware of a possible breach of scientific integrity may send a report to the Scientific Integrity Officer.

Receipt

The allegation of misconduct is sent by email or post, signed and dated. This statement describes the situation and the people involved. The whistleblower’s anonymity is guaranteed by the Scientific Integrity Officer.

Admissibility of the report

During the preliminary investigation phase, the officer in charge verifies that the report is sufficiently detailed to allow action to be taken. If an investigation is launched, he or she quickly informs the persons implicated.

Investigation

In all cases, absolute priority is given to the facts and to the presumption of good faith on the part of the persons concerned. It is understood that, at any stage of the procedure and whenever possible, the Reporting Officer may propose mediation to the persons concerned, in order to resolve the situation through a series of appropriate measures accepted by all parties.

The investigation is carried out in an adversarial manner, with uniform treatment, and if necessary involving independent experts. An inventory of the facts reported, the facts established and the arguments put forward by the various parties leads to the drafting of a report by the Scientific Integrity Officer, which may include recommendations. The report is submitted to the President of the University.

Follow-up

The Director General of ISAE-SUPAERO is responsible for deciding what action to take on the investigation report.

Scientific integrity, research ethics and professional conduct are three essential components of responsible research conduct.

Scientific integrity refers to good practice in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge. It guarantees the honest and rigorous nature of research activities.

Ethics refer to a set of obligations specific to the practice of a profession. In France, when a researcher is a civil servant, his or her obligations are set out in the General Civil Service Code.

Research ethics concerns, on the one hand, the major issues raised by certain scientific developments and, on the other hand, the more operational issues of compliance of research protocols with the legal rules and ethical recommendations in force.

Ethics refer to a set of obligations specific to the practice of a profession. In France, when a researcher is a civil servant, for example, his or her obligations are set out in the General Civil Service Code.

The planning and implementation of the research project: Failure to obtain the necessary authorisations (ethical approval, consent of participants); non-compliance with authorised protocols; misuse of research funds.

Management and practices relating to data of any kind (including bodies of text, archives, images, etc.): Falsification or fabrication; deliberately deficient management or archiving; retention without legal justification, omission or selection without scientific justification; problematic statistical processing; unmentioned embellishment.

Publication, communication and authoring practices: Plagiarism; improper signature or failure to acknowledge a contribution; self-plagiarism; non-compliance with AI usage requirements; improper or biased citations; lack of impartiality or transparency when speaking publicly.

Interactions between peers: Biased peer-reviewing, appropriation of research projects or ideas, lack of supervision, undue hindrance of the progress of a peer's work, unfounded accusations of misconduct.

Failure to declare links or conflicts of interest, or their poor management at all or part of the stages of a research activity (e.g. application for funding, evaluation, expert appraisal and dissemination of results).

The most serious forms of misconduct - such as fabrication, falsification of data and plagiarism (FFP) - are liable to disciplinary action.

Reference texts on scientific integrity

ANR Charter of ethics and scientific integrity
European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
Singapore Declaration on Scientific Integrity
The Corvol report
French Office of Scientific Integrity
Report by the CNRS Ethics Committee (COMETS) – “Ethical reflection on plagiarism in scientific research”.
Guide “Practising research with integrity and responsibility” published by the CNRS

As developments in this area, both nationally and internationally, are fairly frequent, it is advisable to refer to the Ofis website, which is regularly updated.

Space Systems for Planetology and Applications (SSPA) Scientific Group

Last Updated On 21 January 2026

Our Research Areas

The SSPA group focuses its work on two main themes:

The study of the internal structure and physical properties of the telluric planets and small bodies of the solar system: This research aims to understand the composition, internal structure and evolution of these objects.
Studying the coupling between the solid surface and the atmosphere of planets: This approach explores the interactions between atmospheric phenomena and the geology of these worlds.

These themes are part of a dual strategy:

The preparation of future space missions, involving the design and development of innovative instrumentation.
The analysis of data from past or current missions in order to refine existing scientific models.

Our Missions and Research Projects

The SSPA group is involved in a number of major space missions, each contributing to a better understanding of the solar system.

InSight is part of NASA's Discovery program, managed by the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built the InSight spacecraft, including its cruise stage and lander, and supported spacecraft operations for the mission.

Several European partners, including France's Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), are supporting the InSight mission. CNES provided NASA with the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure) instrument, with the principal investigator at IPGP (Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris).

Major contributions to SEIS came from IPGP; the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany; the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) in Switzerland; Imperial College London and Oxford University in the UK; and JPL.

The Marsquake Service is led by ETH Zurich, with major contributions from IPGP; University of Bristol; Imperial College; ISAE-SUPAERO; MPS; and JPL. DLR supplied the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3), with major contributions from the Space Research Center (CBK) of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Astronika in Poland. The Spanish Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) supplied the temperature and wind sensors.

The SSPA group is present on the NASA Perseverance rover (Mars 2020; which will prepare the sample return mission) through its contribution to the SuperCam instrument, which analyses rocks remotely using LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technology.

We produced and supplied the first Martian microphone, which complements the LIBS measurements by providing calibrated information on rock hardness.

The SSPA team is involved in numerous small body missions.

Our involvement ranges from the development of instruments specifically for the exploration of small bodies, to the physical properties of the surface and internal structure of asteroids.

The SSPA team has invested in mission studies (in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech) aimed at studying the internal structure of the planet Venus, this time using the couplings of the 'solid' planet with the atmosphere: We think we can detect these earthquakes either using balloons measuring infrasound in the upper atmosphere (60 km) of Venus, or by measuring infrared luminescence (airglow) from orbit.

This collaboration has resulted in several instrumented balloon flights in collaboration with JPL/Caltech and Sandia Labs in the United States.

The PIONEERS project (Planetary Instruments based on Optical technologies for an iNnovative European Exploration using Rotational Seismology) has been selected as a research and innovation action under the H2020-SPACE-20-2018 call for proposals.

This project, funded by the European Commission, aims to develop a new generation of planetary seismometers.

Coordinated by ISAE-SUPAERO, it aims to achieve a technological breakthrough that should make it possible to feel deformations 100 times smaller than the sensors currently available. To achieve this, optical interferometry technologies will be used to measure translations as well as rotations of the planetary surface. The addition of rotation measurement to traditional seismometers will enable new methods of probing planetary interiors and identifying seismic sources.

Two instruments will be developed over the 4 years of the project. A prototype ultra-low-noise instrument for the telluric planets of the solar system, and a more compact flight model, in CubeSat format, for application to asteroids.

PIONEERS is supported by a European consortium of research laboratories (ISAE-SUPAERO, ETHZ, IPGP, ORB, LMU) and an industrial partner (iXblue). This research initiative brings together cutting-edge skills in planetary instrumentation, geodesy and rotational seismology, as well as space electronics and optics.

EntrySat, the very first French 3U cubesat, was deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on 3 July at 16:25 UTC (18:25 local time). The main objectives of the EntrySat mission were to study the atmospheric re-entry of space debris. EntrySat was also to carry out experiments to communicate with the ground and measure the characteristics of the atmosphere.

EntrySat was part of the CNES JANUS project (Jeunes en Apprentissage pour la réalisation de Nanosatellites au sein des Universités et des écoles de l'enseignement supérieur). The development was led by the SSPA team and involved many researchers, engineers and students from ISAE-SUPAERO who participated in the design of the nanosatellite, assisted by ONERA and the University of Toulouse.

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Our Technologies and Instruments

The SSPA group plays a crucial role in the design and development of advanced technologies for space exploration. These technologies include:

Seismic and infrasound sensors to analyse the internal and atmospheric activities of planets.
On-board observation instruments to collect data in real time.
Shock and vibration detection systems used to study asteroids and comets.

David Mimoun

Head of SSPA Group

david.mimoun@isae-supaero.fr +33 5 61 33 80 80

The InSight Mission to Mars

The InSight mission was selected by NASA in August 2012 as part of the DISCOVERY programme. On November 26, 2018, it deployed the first geophysical observatory on Mars, with the aim of providing scientific knowledge essential to understanding the fundamental processes involved in the formation of telluric planets and their evolution. To achieve this, it carries two scientific instruments: The SEIS seismometer and HP3, an instrument for measuring heat flows from the planet’s core.

The SEIS seismometer, which measures seismic activity, meteorite impact flux, and Phobos tide measurements, characterises the inner structure of Mars, providing information on the thickness and structure of the crust, the composition and structure of the mantle, and the size of the core. It has been developed over more than 10 years by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) with the support of CNES and CNRS, and a wide range of international partners: IPGP, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), Max Planck Institute Lindau, Imperial College London and Oxford, Jet Propulsion Laboratory andISAE-SUPAERO.

SSPA researchers provide two mission co-investigators (David Mimoun, Raphael Garcia) and 5 collaborators (Naomi Murdoch, Nicolas Compaire, Leo Martire, Melanie Drilleau, Alexandre Stott), and have contributed to the InSight mission through the SEIS instrument performance model, the mission performance model, the specification of the scientific software and the design of the instrument’s concept of operations on Mars. They are also making a significant contribution to the exploitation of scientific data on the structure of the crust, the internal structure of the planet, and the study of dust devils.

Some of the SSPA group’s research themes related to the InSight mission:

Variations in wind (Murdoch et al. 2017), atmospheric pressure (Murdoch et al., 2018, Garcia et al., 2020), magnetic field or temperature are natural phenomena that create noise on the SEIS instrument. Understanding and predicting these sources of noise (Mimoun et al., 2017) has been important in designing the mission, defining the specifications and exploiting the data. To help NASA and the InSight team choose the best possible location for the SEIS instrument, we also produced performance and noise maps of each point around the lander. These maps list all the noises likely to interfere with the instrument's measurements and take into account all the known characteristics of the Martian environment.

Understanding the internal structure of the terrestrial planets (Earth, Mars and the Moon) is a fundamental challenge if we are to gain a better understanding of their formation process and evolution. To achieve this, the recordings made by terrestrial seismological stations, and those from the Apollo and InSight missions, are key data for probing the interior of planets. In this context, a major area of research is the development of algorithms for inversion of seismological and, more broadly, geophysical data, in order to estimate seismic velocity and temperature profiles in the interior of planets, as well as their mineralogical composition (Drilleau et al., 2013, 2020; Panning et al., 2015, 2017; Bissig, 2018; Garcia et al., 2019).

Determining the structure of the near surface provides constraints on the geological history of a planet. Pressure fluctuations in the Martian atmosphere generate small deformations in the soil, which can be measured by the SEIS seismometer on the InSight mission. These deformations are highly dependent on the elastic properties of the regolith. Using pressure, wind and ground deformation data records, it is possible to estimate the elastic parameters beneath the lander in the first 20 metres below the surface (Lognonné et al., 2019, Kenda et al., 2020, Garcia et al., 2020, Murdoch et al., 2020). Initial results have shown the presence of a transition between the regolith on the surface and a harder rock, which would correspond to blocks of rock ejected during a meteorite impact (Lognonné et al., 2020).

InSight measures wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric pressure almost continuously, providing more data than previous ground missions. These meteorological sensors have detected hundreds of convective vortices (eddies) called dust devils when they collect dust and become visible. The InSight site has more vortices than any other place we've landed on Mars with weather sensors (Banfield, Spiga et al., 2020). SEIS can feel these vortices pulling at the surface like a giant hoover (Lorenz et al., 2015). As well as being able to calculate the elasticity of the Martian surface by measuring the suction of the soil by passing dust vortices (Lognonné et al., 2020; Banerdt et al., 2020), the combined seismic and pressure measurements can provide constraints on the properties of the vortices and its trajectories (Murdoch et al., 2020), and may indicate heterogeneities in the subsurface structure around the InSight lander (Golombek et al., 2020).

The Mars Microphone On Board NASA’s Perseverance Rover

The SSPA group is present on the NASA Perseverance rover (Mars 2020; which will prepare f or a sample return mission) through its contribution to the SuperCam instrument, which analyses rocks remotely using LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technology.

We produced and supplied the first Martian microphone, which complements the LIBS measurements by providing calibrated information on rock hardness.

Some of the SSPA group’s research themes related to the Mars microphone:

We are studying the acoustic signal associated with plasma formation during the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) experiment on SuperCam. Our research shows that listening to LIBS sparks provides information about the target hardness/density. These results are independent of and complementary to the LIBS spectrum.

The microphone records the aeroacoustic noise generated by the wind passing in front of the microphone. Using experiments carried out in the Mars Wind Tunnel in Aarhus, we have demonstrated that the microphone on SuperCam has the potential to determine both the speed and direction of the wind on Mars, thereby contributing to scientific research into the atmosphere.

Small-Body Missions

The SSPA team is involved in a number of small body missions. Our involvement ranges from the development of instruments specifically for the exploration of small bodies, to the physical properties of the surface and internal structure of asteroids.

The AIDA mission
The MMX rover on Phobos
The H2020 NEO-MAPP project

Assessment of asteroid impact and deflection (DART + Hera)

NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission will reached Didymos in September 2022 and headed towards Dimorphos at a speed of around 6.6 km/s. The last thing that DART transmitted to Earth before the collision was an image of the surface of Dimorphos.

Post-impact investigations will be carried out initially from Earth, then by the other component of AIDA, ESA's Hera mission (scheduled for launch in 2024). The detailed post-impact studies of Hera (Michel et al., 2017) will transform the large-scale impact experiment into a well-understood and reproducible planetary defence technique.

The overall results from both missions should provide a baseline for planning any future planetary defence strategy, offering insight into the type of force needed to move an asteroid's orbit, and better understanding of how the technique could be applied if a real threat were to occur.

DART and Hera are autonomous; each mission alone will provide valuable knowledge. However, when combined, this knowledge will be multiplied considerably.

The SSPA's involvement in these missions is twofold: To help prepare the immediate operations of the Hera mission, in particular with regard to the landing and operational strategy of the CubeSats, and to conduct the scientific analyses of the DART and Hera missions, in particular with regard to the geophysical properties of Didymoon (internal structure and surface mechanical properties). Naomi Murdoch is co-I on the Hera mission and a collaborator on the DART mission.

The Martians Moons eXploration (MMX) mission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, will visit the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and return samples from Phobos to Earth.

As part of this mission, a small rover (25 kg), provided by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), with additional contributions from INTA (Spain) and JAXA, will be delivered to the surface of Phobos.

The rover will be a technological demonstration of locomotion on a low-gravity, regolith-covered planetary surface. In addition, the rover will provide scientific data on the properties of the regolith (mechanical, mineralogical and thermal), provide contextual information for the returned samples, and help reduce the risks of MMX mission operations.

One of the four scientific instruments on board the rover is the 'WheelCams' (PI: Naomi Murdoch). These cameras will observe the interactions between the rover's wheels and the surface in order to characterise the mechanical properties of the regolith.

In the SSPA team, as well as preparing the analysis of the WheelCams data, we are studying the feasibility and expected performance of a wheeled vehicle on the surface of Phobos.

NEO-MAPP 'Near Earth Object Modeling And Payload for Protection' is a project funded by the European Commission's H2020 programme. This project addresses the theme of 'Advanced Research on Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and New Payload Technologies for Planetary Defence' (SUSPACE-23-SEC-2019).

The main objective of NEO-MAPP is to support the development and analysis of data from small-body missions, such as Hera, and to make significant advances both in our understanding of the response of near-Earth objects to external forces (in particular a kinetic impact or a close passage to a planet), and in the measurements made by space missions.

The objectives of NEO-MAPP are as follows:

Pushing the limits of numerical modelling of the response of NEOs to kinetic impact, as well as their physical and dynamic properties, while developing European modelling capabilities related to planetary defence and NEO exploration
Increasing the maturity of multiple European space instruments directly related to planetary defence, while focusing on measurements of the surface, shallow subsurface and interior properties of NEOs
Developing algorithms and simulators to prepare for proximity operations and data exploitation
Developing innovative and synergistic data measurement and analysis strategies that combine several instruments, to ensure optimal exploitation of data from small-body missions
Developing and validating robust GNC strategies and technologies enabling interaction between a surface and a CubeSat or small/micro-atterracer, and response measurements

The NEO-MAPP team will devote considerable resources to developing significant and innovative synergies between the two sub-themes. As such, NEO-MAPP will provide significant advances in our understanding of near-Earth objects while building on the expertise of European scientists and engineers in planetary defence efforts and small body exploration.

Some of the SSPA group’s research themes related to small bodies:

The dynamics of regolith (granular material on planetary surfaces) is also involved in the evolution of small bodies in our solar system and is essential for the design and/or operation of landers, sampling devices and rovers.

Landing on asteroids: Understanding surface-lander interactions is important for all landers as these considerations influence deployment strategy, mission design and operations, and even the choice of payload. To simulate landing on an asteroid, we have developed an Atwood machine: A variable-gravity drop tower (Sunday et al., 2016). With the tower, we perform low-speed collisions in low-gravity conditions. The results of our experiments indicate that low-gravity collisions lead to more fluidised grain behaviour (Murdoch et al., 2017). To see an experiment on the simulation of an asteroid landing.
Low-gravity rolling: Using a DEM code, which we have improved and validated to model the specific interactions of a wheel with the regolith of a small body (Sunday et al., 2020), we are studying how the behaviour of a wheel (traction, manoeuvrability, etc.) varies according to the type of regolith and at different gravity levels. The results will be used directly to plan the operations of the MMX rover and to interpret the interactions between the wheels and the regolith on Phobos.

Understanding the internal structure of an asteroid has important implications for interpreting its history and understanding its ongoing geological evolution, as well as for asteroid deflection and the use of in situ space resources. There is strong evidence that asteroids are seismically active (see Murdoch et al., 2015 for a review). The SSPA team studies the natural seismicity (tidal forces, impacts, thermal cracking,...) of asteroids to understand the consequences for their evolution and internal structure, and for future asteroid seismic stations (Garcia et al., 2015; Murdoch et al., 2017).

By measuring ground displacement due to seismic activity on the surface of asteroids, a geophone can provide constraints on the stratification and mechanical properties of the subsurface, in addition to the typical size of subsurface heterogeneities.

Seismology has long been considered a key technique for understanding a planetary body and its interior. However, despite the evidence that asteroids are seismically active and the obvious need to deepen our understanding of their internal structure, no seismic experiments have ever been carried out on the surface of an asteroid.

To achieve the objective of putting a seismometer on the surface of a small body, we are developing an instrument adapted to the environment of the small body. Our low-mass, low-power seismometer can be integrated into a small lander (e.g. a CubeSat) and can operate in the harsh environment of the asteroid's surface.

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Electronics, Optronics, and Signal Processing Department (DEOS)

Last Updated On 23 September 2025

Our Research Department

ISAE-SUPAERO’s Department of Electronics, Optronics, and Signal Processing (DEOS) is a key player in innovation in the aeronautics and space sectors.

It conducts cutting-edge research and develops advanced technologies, from the design of sensors and communication systems to interplanetary scientific payloads.

Structured into five complementary research groups, it covers a broad spectrum of skills.

Scientific groups

Permanent researchers

Doctoral and post-doctoral students

Contract workers

Students (research or trainees)

From physics to signal processing and DEOS, we research and develop advanced signal processing methods as well as state-of-the-art sensors and instruments. Our high-level experimental platforms support both research and the training of future engineers and researchers.

Angélique RISSONS Department Head

Research Activities at DEOS

DEOS is structured into five scientific groups:

The CIMI group, which specialises in silicon-based image sensors for the visible and infrared wavelengths
The PAMPA group, which explores the interactions of electromagnetic waves with matter in order to innovate with microwaves and photonics
The NAVIR²eS group, which focuses on signal and image processing applied to navigation, radar and remote sensing
The ComIT group, which studies digital communications and channel access techniques for applications ranging from space to the Internet of Things
The SSPA group, which develops missions and technologies for the geophysical exploration of the solar system

CIMI Scientific Group

Research Areas

Study and development of image sensors on silicon for visible and near infrared radiation
Nano/Microelectronics / Integrated circuits / Physics of semiconductor devices / Physics of photodetection
Effects of space and nuclear radiation on image sensors and hardening by design
Electronics at cryogenic temperature

More about CIMI

PAMPA Scientific Group

Research Areas

Electromagnetic modelling for photonics and microwaves
Design of optoelectronic functions for data generation
Optical satellite ground telecommunications
Microwave plasma interaction

Find out more about PAMPA

NAVIR²eS Scientific Group

Research Areas

Multifunction waveforms (e.g. spectrum sharing)
Physical layer security and electronic warfare
Neural networks for the physical layer
Error-correcting coding and precoding techniques
Efficient and secure resource allocation

Find out more about NAVIR²eS

ComIT Scientific Group

Research Areas

Multifunction waveforms (e.g. spectrum sharing)
Physical layer security and electronic warfare
Neural networks for the physical layer
Error-correcting coding and precoding techniques
Efficient and secure resource allocation

More about ComIT

SSPA Scientific Group

Research Areas

Development of missions and associated technologies for geophysical exploration of the solar system (InSight, Perseverance, Farside Seismic Suite)
Development of acoustic technologies for probing telluric planets
Exploration of small bodies (regolith and microgravity)
Production of the first ISAE CubeSat, EntrySat

Find out more about SSPA

DEOS Scientific Publications

Trapeze Active Deep Trench Designs for Enhanced Charge Transfer Performances in CCD-on-CMOS Image Sensor

Salih Alj Antoine, Migliorin Lucrezia, Touron Pierre, Carrere Jean-Pierre, Michelot Julien, Demiguel, Stéphane, Virmontois Cédric, Lalucaa Valerian, Magnan Pierre, Goiffon...

27 Jan 2026 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 Displacement Damage Effects on a CDTI-Based CCD-on-CMOS: Dark Current and Charge Transfer Inefficiency

Salih Alj Antoine, Antonsanti, Aubin, Le Roch Alexandre, Touron Pierre, Roy François, Tournier, Arnaud, Demiguel, Stéphane, Michelot Julien, Lalucaa Valerian,...

27 Jan 2026 In-Flight Hot Pixels and Random Telegraph Signal in Aeolus Accumulation CCDs Operated at Low Temperature

Plocina Asnate, Goiffon Vincent, Marcelot Olivier, Marchais Denis, Saint-Pé Olivier, Rizzolo Serena, Pratlong Jérôme, Bell Ray, Salih Alj Antoine, Antonsanti,...

27 Jan 2026 The Moon's crust and upper mantle discontinuities revealed by seismic interferometry methods applied to Apollo seismic data

Torrent Duch, Arnau, Garcia Raphaël F., Drilleau Mélanie, The Moon's crust and upper mantle discontinuities revealed by seismic interferometry methods...

27 Jan 2026

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Our Lessons

Our team in the Electronics, Optronics, and Signal Department is heavily involved in ISAE-SUPAERO‘s top-quality programmes, both in the engineering cycle curriculum and in the Masters programmes.

We are fully committed to teaching, offering courses that combine theory and application, to ensure that students receive an education based on the latest scientific and technological advances.

We encourage and promote participation in research projects to enable our students to develop essential practical and methodological skills in areas such as Earth observation, communication systems, satellite navigation, and the exploitation of space data.

Our commitment is also reflected in the supervision of internships, final year projects, and collaborations with institutions and companies in the sector. This hands-on immersion in today’s scientific and technological challenges prepares our students to become major players in the space industry.

Earth Observation and Universe Sciences Programme

The aim of the programme is to provide high-level training to familiarise ISAE-SUPAERO engineers with the technologies and themes used in Earth observation and scientific space missions.

It also enables students who wish to continue their training in research to combine their engineering training with a scientific education that will enable them to pursue a thesis.

The programme has a wide range of outlets, including major space manufacturers (Airbus-DS, Thales Alenia Space, etc.), space agencies (ESA, CNES, NASA), research institutes (CNRS, etc.), and SMEs specialising in space data processing and applications.

The programme is built around a core curriculum, with two additional pathways: The Universe Sciences pathway and the Earth Science and Environment pathway.

Advanced Master® Space Applications & Services

The aim of this AM is to give students a better understanding of space systems and their use in Earth observation, communications, and navigation.

Students will design space applications and services using examples and experimental work. They will propose and design tools and solutions in areas such as the environment, agriculture, transportation, and urban planning.

They will also be able to create a complete telecommunications system according to the user’s needs: Internet access, Internet of Things, fixed or mobile terminals.

Spatial Imaging, Navigation and Communication Major

Random signal processing and estimation
Electromagnetism applied to avionics
Satellite navigation
Wireless systems, microelectronics, microwaves and optronics
Satellites and orbits
Basics of digital communication
Remote sensing and sensors
Satellite broadcasting
Broadband satellite communication systems

M2R Advanced Communication Systems (ACS)

The Advanced Communication Systems (ACS) Master’s degree is a joint teaching programme run by 4 engineering schools in the Toulouse region (France): ENAC, INPT/ENSEEIHT, INSA, and ISAE-SUPAERO (under the patronage of Paul Sabatier University).

The aim is to broaden the training of our students so that they can meet future challenges in the field of communication systems (for example, preparing for R&D in industry or continuing as doctoral students).

Students will be able to:

Deepen their communication skills
Benefit from an active learning environment
Get started with scientific communication

Job Offers

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Go Further

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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

Last Updated On 21 July 2025

The ExoMars mission is a European Space Agency (ESA) programme to explore Mars for signs of past life. Planned for 2028, the mission will involve the Rosalind Franklin rover, designed to analyse the Martian surface for biosignatures and to understand variations in the aqueous and geochemical environment of Mars. This programme represents a crucial step in the search for extraterrestrial life and in understanding the evolution of our solar system.

Researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO’s Space Systems for Planetology and Applications research group are contributing to the development of instruments for collecting atmospheric data and sound during the mission’s entry, descent and landing phases. This expertise is recognised by the Institute.

A key mission for the future of Mars exploration

ESA, CNES and six French laboratories and universities are in charge of various instruments and instrumental contributions on the Rosalind Franklin rover, which will have 8 pieces of equipment on board and a drill.

ISAE-SUPAERO will develop PACIS (Platform Atmospheric Characterization Instrumentation Suite), located on the landing platform and designed to measure sound, pressure and temperature during the critical entry, descent and landing phases of the ExoMars probe. The PACIS microphone and atmospheric instruments will contribute to our understanding of the atmosphere and environment on Mars by collecting unique data during descent and after arrival.

Funded by ESA and CNES, this project is being carried out in partnership with the University of Padova and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and marks a further step in ISAE-SUPAERO’s commitment to scientific excellence and innovation in the service of space. All these elements will be an essential prerequisite for the success of the next stages in the exploration of the Red Planet.

Planetary acoustics, expertise made in ISAE-SUPAERO

This new scientific collaboration in space is based on ISAE-SUPAERO’s heritage in the field of planetary missions, and in particular its contribution to the Perseverance rover on NASA’s Mars2020 mission. The Martian microphone, integrated on Perseverance’s SuperCam instrument, designed and developed by a team of researchers from the Institute in cooperation with IRAP (Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie) and CNES, paved the way for a new approach to Martian exploration by inaugurating a new science, planetary acoustics. “The instrument developed for ExoMars embodies our ability to innovate in response to the most complex challenges of space exploration”, emphasises David Mimoun, Deputy Director of Research.

"ISAE-SUPAERO has made a significant contribution to the development of some fifteen space missions in the past or in development.

David Mimoun Deputy Director of Research at ISAE-SUPAERO

Cutting-edge research guarantees top-level space training

This project promotes the close synergy between research and education at ISAE-SUPAERO. The work that led to this selection by the ESA is the fruit of cutting-edge research carried out in the Institute’s laboratories in close collaboration with teaching. This approach guarantees high-level training in the space sector, both in the Earth Observation and Universe Sciences stream of the engineering curriculum and in the various courses in the Space sector. Students benefit directly from the technological and methodological advances developed for missions such as ExoMars.

Space training at ISAE SUPAERO

ISAE-SUPAERO engineer

Master 2 Advanced Communication Systems (ACS)

Specialised Master in Space Applications and Services (SPAPS)

Space Imaging, Navigation and Communication major in the Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Hera probe captures exceptional images of Mars and its moon Deimos

Last Updated On 21 July 2025

Exceptional images of Mars and Deimos

On 12 March, the Hera probe completed a key stage in its mission with a close flyby of Mars. By exploiting the gravitational assistance of the Red Planet, it gained speed and adjusted its trajectory to continue its journey towards the Didymos binary system.

Although not essential to the main mission, this close encounter represents a valuable scientific opportunity. Several on-board instruments were activated to observe Mars and its moon Deimos, located less than 1,000 km away.

Hera has sent us some exceptional images from the farthest reaches of space, and we have asked our scientists involved in the Hera and Perseverance space missions to make a selection of them and comment on them.

View of Mars taken by the Asteroid Framing Camera

” In this image from Hera, acquired with the Asteroid Framing Camera, we can see the geologically varied surface of Mars, including the icy poles and the distinct differences between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Mars has a surprisingly complex environment, including a tenuous atmosphere containing clouds and sometimes even dust storms.

At ISAE-SUPAERO, we are studying Mars’ atmosphere as part of NASA’s Perseverance mission. As Hera flew over Mars, the Perseverance mission used its cameras and meteorological instruments to observe the sky and help interpret what Hera can see from orbit.”

Alexander Stott, researcher in the SSPA team at ISAE-SUPAERO and co-leader of the NASA Perseverance atmospheric science working group.

Credits : ESA

To find out more about the work of ISAE-SUPAERO’s Space Systems in Planetology & Applications research group for the Perseverance mission: https: //www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/actualites/pour-ecouter-les-premiers-sons-de-la-planete-mars-le-rover-perseverance/

Mars and Deimos seen by Hera's TIRI

” Hera has a pair of visible cameras (AFC), a hyperspectral imager (HyperScout) and a thermal imager (TIRI), all of which will be used to study the properties and characteristics of the binary asteroid system.

This image shows Deimos and Mars as seen by the thermal imager (TIRI). The images of Mars and Deimos will be used to calibrate the various instruments and enable the Hera team to prepare for the probe’s arrival in the binary asteroid system (Didymos – Dimorphos) at the end of next year.

In the SSPA team, we have been analysing data from NASA’s DART mission since 2022 and we are looking forward to studying asteroids in even greater detail using data from the Hera mission.”

Alexia Duchêne, PhD student in the SSPA team at ISAE-SUPAERO and member of the Hera scientific team

Credits: ESA/JAXA

To find out more about the work of ISAE-SUPAERO’s Space Systems in Planetology & Applications research group for the DART mission: https: //www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/actualites/dart-des-etudiants-de-l-isae-supaero-publient-de-nouveaux-resultats/

Mars and Deimos seen by Hera's Hyperscout H

” This image, taken with Hera’s HyperScout instrument, shows Deimos – the smaller (12 km) of the two Martian moons – passing directly in front of Mars. Deimos has a very dark surface compared with that of Mars. Hera’s images of Deimos will contribute to our knowledge of these small bodies. We still don’t know where the moons of Mars come from or how they formed. This is a major scientific question that will be addressed by the future Japanese mission Martian Moons eXploration (MMX).

The IDEFIX rover, developed by France and Germany as part of the MMX mission, will even attempt to land and travel on the surface of Phobos (Mars’ largest moon)! The Hera and MMX teams are working closely together to ensure that these images of the Martian moons taken by Hera provide as much information as possible to help with the preparations for the MMX mission“.

Naomi Murdoch, planetary scientist in the SSPA team at ISAE-SUPAERO and member of the DART, Hera and MMX scientific teams.

To find out more about the work of ISAE-SUPAERO’s Space Systems in Planetology & Applications research group for the MMX (Martian Moon eXploration) mission: https: //www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/actualites/mmx-idefix-r-et-des-cameras-pour-comprendre-la-lune-de-mars/

Mars and Deimos seen by Hera's Asteroid Framing Camera

” These images, taken by Hera’s visible camera (AFC), show the small dark Martian moon, Deimos (12 km), passing in front of Mars. Hera captured these images at a distance of around 1000 km from Deimos.

We are observing a side of Deimos that is rarely visible, which means that we are discovering parts of a planetary surface that have never been seen before. Behind Deimos, we can see the cratered surface of Mars.

In the lower right-hand corner of the image, we can make out the Hellas basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the Solar System – with a diameter of 2,300 km and a depth of more than 7 km.”

Jeanne Bigot, PhD student in the SSPA team at ISAE-SUPAERO and member of the Hera and DART scientific teams.

Credits: ESA

Unlocking the secrets of earthquakes with stratospheric balloons

Last Updated On 21 July 2025

A new approach to studying earthquakes from the stratosphere

A team of researchers led by Solène Gerier, a doctor in Earth and solid planet sciences, an engineer in applied mathematics and a post-doctoral researcher at ISAE-SUAPERO, has taken a major step forward in the analysis of earthquakes.

Their study focuses on the analysis of acoustic waves generated by earthquakes using an innovative recording method for the object of study. The waves were recorded in the stratosphere using pressure sensors installed on high-altitude balloons. This new approach makes it possible to study earthquakes by analysing the infrasound signals they emit through the atmosphere.

It is based on the pioneering work of Raphaël Garcia, a teacher-researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO and a specialist in space and planetary seismology. In 2022, he and his team demonstrated in the Geophysical Research Letter the feasibility of such observations during the CNES Stratéole-2 mission in collaboration with the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique. The breakthrough proposed by Solène Gerier makes it possible to trace the seismic source of these signals, analysing only the acoustic contributions in the atmosphere.

Complex modelling to decipher signals

To disentangle the various components of the signals recorded, the scientist and her team developed a sophisticated model. This incorporates not only the trace of the infrasound rays, but also the analysis of the background noise and the response of the ‘balloon platforms’. An additional analysis was carried out to gain a better understanding of the origin of the signals, using the infrasound ray tracing technique as well as an analysis of the noise associated with balloon platform movements.

The simulations, carried out using the SPECFEM2D-DG-LNS software, revealed that the wave signature was mainly influenced by the characteristics of the earthquake and the earth’s internal structure, and not by atmospheric conditions. “Ground vibrations produce acoustic waves that can be detected in the atmosphere. These waves have a particular signature because they were produced by seismic waves, which are themselves characteristic of the earthquake and the nature of the ground in which these waves propagate”, explains Solène Gerier. “Modelling has enabled us to check that these characteristics are preserved even in the atmosphere.

Promising results

While the simulations were unable to reproduce exactly the shape of the waves observed in the 0.05 to 0.3 Hz frequency band, they did reveal some interesting phenomena. In particular, the researchers observed a dispersion of seismic surface waves in the pressure recordings. The prolonged oscillations observed after the main signal can be explained in part by the complex vertical movements of the ground and by the multiple reflections of the infrasound on the topography.

In addition to its application on Earth, this methodology could prove particularly valuable for exploring other planets, as Raphaël Garcia points out:“These platforms are interesting for planets on which we cannot deploy a seismometer on the surface because the atmosphere is too hot. This is particularly the case for the planet Venus (450°C at the surface), where we think that earthquakes will be detected in the future through the atmospheric disturbances they cause.

This study, which is a continuation of the research carried out by the Institute’s DEOS/SSPA team, demonstrates the considerable potential of airborne platforms for studying earthquakes, both on Earth and on other planets.

To consult the scientific publication

Solène Gerier, a PhD in Earth and solid planet sciences, applied mathematics engineer and post-doctoral researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO, is interested in various aspects of the Earth's atmosphere, including :

modelling acoustic waves produced by natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
detection of disturbances induced in the stratosphere or ionosphere
atmospheric characteristics and models

Focus on… quantum physics at ISAE-SUPAERO: a student journey

Last Updated On 21 July 2025

"A quantum physics project led me into research".

Alica Nègre

Alicia Nègre joined ISAE-SUPAERO with a keen interest in science, astrophysics and physics. The teaching, internship opportunities, an additional diploma, etc., her choices led her passionately towards quantum physics. An engineer, class of 2023, Alicia is currently working on a thesis in mathematics applied to the calculation of electronic structures. It’s a clear-cut career path!

A passion for science and research

At secondary school, Alicia was captivated by the sciences – why not become a doctor? But maths and physics also fascinated her. Her mind was fed by Arte documentaries and popular science videos, and she followed the youtuber David Louapre, whose subjects fascinated her. In preparatory classes, an introductory course in quantum mechanics left her fascinated by the mysteries of the discipline.

She remembers: “When I joined ISAE-SUPAERO, I was mainly interested in space and astrophysics. With courses in quantum physics, statistical physics and relativity in the first year, I opted for more in-depth elective courses, but I broadened my areas of interest by including quantum physics”.

The real turning point came with a 2ᵉ year research project that Alicia was doing in the Department of Electronics, Optronics and Signal Research (DEOS).

Sébastien Massenot, a teacher-researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO in charge of fundamental physics courses, asked her to collaborate on the development of an experimental protocol based on the work of Irish physicist John Bell and 2022 Nobel Prize winner in Physics Alain Aspect.

It is precisely the measurement of J. Bell’s parameter that Alicia is focusing on, programming and testing in order to automate the measurement, and working on its optimisation to reduce the uncertainties involved. “I learnt a lot and enjoyed the process, exploring avenues of research and working as part of a team. That’s when becoming an engineer made sense to me. I needed to be involved in research, and that anchored me,” she confides.

The enigma of quantum physics

For Alicia, “In quantum mechanics, there are constant exchanges between mathematics and physics. Different mathematical objects and spaces have to be put in place to describe and express these phenomena that cannot be explained using classical physics theories. To understand the behaviour of quantum systems, we need to establish a new mathematical framework that challenges the way we describe physical systems at certain scales. This sheds light on, and even predicts, the concepts of superimposed states and entangled states. After working on the more experimental side, I wanted to go further on the theoretical side and in particular understand how mathematics can describe, model or predict unsuspected behaviours of particles and quantum objects in general and how it supports the work of researchers at the frontier between these fields”.

To do this, in the final year of her engineering course, the student is choosing the Modelling of Complex Systems and Simulation stream, while also taking the Master 2 in Mathematics for Research and Innovation (M2RI) at Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier University. In 2023, Alicia will be doing her final year project at the Centre d’Enseignement et de Recherche en Mathématiques et Calcul Scientifique de l’Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (ENPC – CERMICS). His internship focused on the study of methods for solving the N-body Schrödinger equation, and the possibilities offered by certain quantum algorithms.This is the subject of his thesis at ENPC. “I like this academic, multidisciplinary research environment, which means working at the frontier between chemistry, maths and physics”, she explains.

She continues: “Quantum physics and its applications are not as abstract as you might think. There are many concrete applications in miniaturisation technologies, for example, in our telephones, in telecommunications, in molecular biology, in materials science, in energy, and of course in the prospects opened up by quantum computing. It’s also surprising to see that a large number of branches of mathematics interfere on the same subject: functional analysis, algebra, optimisation, etc.”.

At ISAE-SUPAERO, the teaching of quantum physics is based on research carried out by the Institute’s scientific teams in the aeronautics and space sectors, as well as telecommunications and imaging networks.

This strong link between research and training means that students are offered internship opportunities and projects, and future researchers and engineers are trained in this field.

“What is quantum physics?

Quantum physics was developed in the 20th century to account for many microscopic observations that could not be explained by the theories of mechanics or classical electromagnetism. It has also enabled many verifiable and verified predictions to be made about the properties of matter and radiation on all scales (from elementary particles to astrophysics).

The technological and industrial developments that emerged from this theory in the 20th century have led to considerable advances in fields such as microelectronics, computing, telecommunications, imaging and medicine, to name but a few. By way of illustration, more than a third of the US GDP comes from direct applications of this discipline!

For several decades, many laboratories and industrial players have been interested in developing new applications based on controlling the properties of a single or a few individual quantum particles. Quantum theory predicts that a single particle can be described by several states simultaneously (superposition) and that two particles that have interacted in the past will retain a ‘link’, regardless of the distance separating them (entanglement).

Although not intuitive within a classical framework, these properties have been verified experimentally and can be used to improve the sensitivity of many sensors (accelerometers, gravimeters, etc.), the security of communications, and to accelerate calculations using quantum computers.

The development of these new applications, which we are currently witnessing, is known as the “second quantum revolution”. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Focus on… quantum physics in ISAE-SUPAERO training courses

Last Updated On 21 July 2025

"The foundations in quantum physics offered at ISAE-SUPAERO enable students who wish to do so to delve deeper into the discipline and pursue more advanced training".

Sébastien Massenot

Sébastien Massenot is a teacher-researcher in physics at ISAE-SUPAERO, in charge of the fundamental physics courses in the General Engineering curriculum.
An introduction to quantum physics is included in this curriculum from the first year core curriculum, and elective modules allow students to delve deeper into this discipline.
Students who wish to do so can continue with additional training to add a more or less strong quantum coloration to their engineering degree, a speciality sought after by many industrialists.

What role does quantum physics play in the teaching at ISAE-SUPAERO?

“An introductory course in quantum physics is offered as part of the core curriculum of the General Engineering course at ISAE-SUPAERO. This theory is also taught in statistical physics in the first year and in thermal physics in the second year. Several elective courses are also offered: in-depth modules (lasers / particle physics) and two modules directly linked to the second quantum revolution (quantum engineering / quantum computing).

These foundations give students a fairly global view of quantum physics and allow those who so wish to complete their training with a double degree: the Institut has a host agreement with the M2 in fundamental physics, quantum engineering and condensed matter at the Université Paul-Sabatier in the third year, as well as double degree agreements with ENS Paris-Saclay and ESPCI, for example.

The Institute is a forerunner in this field, since the elective quantum engineering module has been offered for two decades by our temporary employee and colleague Christian Joachim.

Why is it so important to train engineers in quantum physics?

“The current craze and the very rapid development of quantum technologies mean that, either in the short or long term, many engineers will be confronted with quantum physics during their careers. Having received prior training in this area will be a major advantage. For example, in the space sector, Thalès Alenia Space in Toulouse has a team of engineers dedicated to developing secure quantum satellite communications systems.

Another crucial aspect is on a more personal level: understanding thought in the “quantum world” is not intuitive compared with the macroscopic world we experience every day. It requires us to take a step back, which is also very instructive.

How do you approach quantum physics with 1ʳᵉ year students?

“In addition to the theoretical courses on offer, quantum physics is also broken down experimentally. A polarisation-intruded photon experiment, a simplified replica adapted for students of the experiment by Alain Aspect, who will be awarded the Nobel Prize in 2022, was developed in 2015 in close collaboration with colleagues at the Université Paul-Sabatier.

This experiment is offered as part of the experimental practice activities (20 hours that enable the various aspects of the experiment to be detailed) or as part of the elective quantum engineering module. It aims to illustrate the experimental preparation of a two-photon quantum state and its measurement, and to make a comparison with theoretical predictions.This gives students a much more hands-on approach to the subject.

“What is quantum physics?

Quantum physics was developed in the 20th century to account for many observations on a microscopic scale that could not be explained by the theories of classical mechanics or electromagnetism. It has also enabled many verifiable and verified predictions to be made about the properties of matter and radiation on all scales (from elementary particles to astrophysics).

Although not intuitive in a classical framework, these properties have been verified experimentally and can be used to improve the sensitivity of many sensors (accelerometers, gravimeters, etc.), the security of communications, and to accelerate calculations using quantum computers.

ISAE-SUPAERO back on mission with Hera

Last Updated On 20 July 2025

Dimorphos, 195 million kilometres away

On 7 October, the Hera probe took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to return to the asteroid hit by the DART probe in September 2022. This international planetary defence mission involves the research team led by Naomi Murdoch, a planetary scientist in the Institute’s Optronics and Signal Electronics Research Department.

Dimorphos, the asteroid thrown off course

Back in September 2022. As part of an international planetary defence programme, the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) missile probe violently collides with the asteroid Dimorphos, a moon of the asteroid Didymos.

“This first attempt at asteroid redirection was a success, with measurable effects on the Dimorphos orbit, demonstrating the feasibility of modifying the trajectory of an asteroid”, recalls Naomi Murdoch.

This phase 1, led by NASA, is the first major success in an ambitious programme to protect the Earth from near-Earth objects that could threaten our planet. During this mission, images and data were collected using ground-based observatories and an Italian cubesat (LICIACube) accompanying the DART kamikaze spacecraft. The planetary scientist then works on analysing and interpreting the scientific data collected to determine the physical properties of these asteroids.

Watch the video interview in which she talks about the success of the DART mission and the school’s involvement in her research work: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/videos/la-mission-dart-a-atteint-sa-cible-commentaires-du-dr-naomi-murdoch-chercheuse/

Arrival in orbit around Didymos scheduled for late 2026

Phase 2 of this programme led by ESA, the European Space Agency, this time bears the name of Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage. With this new mission, the planetary defence community aims to return to the site of the DART impact in order to characterise the two asteroids in detail, and thus validate the deflection technique developed with DART.

To do this, the Hera spacecraft, which weighs just over a tonne, was propelled by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher. It carries a large number of instruments, including two 6U cubesats, Juventas and Milani, two small satellites weighing 12 kg each.

Among these scientific instruments, the cameras and sensors on board the two cubesats are directly relevant to the research work being carried out by Naomi Murdoch and two members of the SSPA team working alongside her: Alexia Duchêne and Jeanne Bigot.
In particular, the team is working on determining the physical properties of the asteroids Didymos and Dimorphos – the small moon of the Didymos binary asteroid system – by interpreting the data collected.

Their work on this mission will involve “carrying out an in-depth analysis of the mass, composition and internal structure of Dimorphos, as well as the size and shape of the crater left by the impact of DART”, explains Alexia Duchêne.
“Today we don’t even know if we’ll find a crater,” adds Jeanne Bigot. “The latest predictions from the Hera team indicate that it is highly likely that DART induced a global deformation of the asteroid!”

To find the answers, they will rely on images transmitted by the probe’s cameras from the two CubeSats orbiting the two asteroids. The two small satellites deployed will attract the asteroid to the surface and the on-board sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes, will be used to study the bouncing and landing phases.

"Hera is an investigator, returning to the site of DART's impact to gather vital clues about the asteroid's properties and the aftermath of the impact. Season 1 ended with the dramatic DART impact - now it's time for season 2 with Hera!"

Naomi Murdoch Planetologist

The previous successful Dart mission and the new Hera mission with its high expectations are part of major objectives for the American and European space agencies, namely the vital issue of being able to divert an asteroid from its trajectory in order to preserve the Earth. Alongside NASA and ESA, ISAE-SUPAERO has been involved in this programme for many years, thanks to the excellence of its research and the commitment of its researchers, of whom Naomi Murdoch is a world-renowned expert in the field.

Two doctoral students with brilliant results

Alexia Duchêne and Jeanne Bigot, both members of the SSPA team, have recently made a name for themselves by publishing scientific articles on their research work in the prestigious journal Nature Communication.

In particular, Alexia Duchêne has worked on estimating the mechanical properties of the Dimorphos moon, a key piece of information for understanding and modelling the impact of DART. She has also developed an image analysis method for studying rock morphology, which can be applied to all space missions.

Jeanne Bigot’s work involved studying the geotechnical properties of the primary asteroid Didymos using DART images. The student worked for a year under the supervision of Naomi Murdoch to assess the bearing capacity of the surface, a parameter that indicates whether an object or lander remains on the surface or sinks.

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

Last Updated On 20 July 2025

Less than two weeks after its launch on 5 September, Sentinel-2c has delivered its first images.

These spectacular views of our planet provide a glimpse of the data that this satellite will supply to Copernicus, the Earth observation programme run by ESA. And ISAE-SUPAERO’s image sensor research team (CIMI) is no stranger to success! It designed the image sensors for the visible and near infrared (visible wavelengths) channels of the Sentinel 2 satellites, in addition to the infrared channel.

The series of Sentinel 2 satellites (Sentinel 2a launched in 2015, Sentinel 2b in 2017 and now Sentinel 2c) provides global observation and monitoring of the Earth through high-resolution multispectral images over the entire globe. Collecting data from these satellites, both visible and infrared, makes a significant contribution to issues such as climate change, land monitoring, emergency management and security.

The thirteen spectral bands, ten in the visible wavelengths and three in the infrared wavelengths, are like thirteen scanners that recreate the image as the satellite moves. These bands can be selected and superimposed to reveal a particular feature or points of interest, depending on what we want to study.

Philippe Martin-Gonthier – Researcher in the CIMI research group at ISAE-SUPAERO

The MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) on board Sentinel 2c can take images in 13 spectral bands ranging from 400 nm to 2 um, with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m and 60 m. These thirteen spectral bands, ten in the visible wavelengths and three in the infrared wavelengths, are like “thirteen scanners that recreate the image as the satellite moves,” explains Philippe Martin-Gonthier, a researcher at CIMI.

“We can select and superimpose these bands to reveal a particular feature or points of interest, depending on what we want to study”. For example, an area burnt during an active fire. The focal plane of the visible channel, which is used to select the spectral band that we want to look at, is made up of 12 multilinear sensors to increase the area scanned.

Work started in 2007

ISAE-SUPAERO’s expertise in this field is not new. It was in 2007 that the CIMI research group began to develop the technology used in these sensors, through theses and R&T, as part of a joint laboratory with Airbus Defence & Space (ADS) to respond to Earth observation missions. The team from the Institute’s Electronics, Optronics and Signal department has already designed the sensors carried by Sentinel 2c’s predecessors.

And there’s more to come! Sentinel 2c is currently in the calibration phase until December 2024, and the launch of a final satellite, Sentinel 2d, is scheduled for 2025. The group is currently working on developing the technology that will follow on from these Sentinel 2 satellites with the ‘Next Generation’ Sentinel 2 satellites in the Copernicus programme.

Scientific and research integrity

What is scientific integrity?

Scientific Integrity Officer at ISAE-SUPAERO

Scientific Integrity Coordinator (RIS) at ISAE-SUPAERO

What is a breach of scientific integrity?

Instruction procedure

Receipt

Admissibility of the report

Investigation

Follow-up

Distinctions between scientific integrity / deontology / research ethics

Here are some examples of breaches that can affect

Reference texts on scientific integrity

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