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Unlocking the secrets of earthquakes with stratospheric balloons

Publication Date

10 March 2025

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Researcher

Science

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

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

Publication Date

22 January 2025

Category

Research

Tag

Conference

Round table

Space

The “Ambition NewSpace 2027” report

The “Ambition NewSpace 2027” report is the result of an unprecedented process coordinated by Professor Lucien Rapp of the University of Toulouse to present a definition of NewSpace, a snapshot of current French NewSpace and proposals to address 6 major priorities:

financing
customers
globalisation
public opinion
strategic independence
intelligence.

The governance chosen by the collective – 1 player, 1 vote – has enabled the expression of the entire French space ecosystem on the subject of NewSpace to be formalised.

Shaping the future of space

In order to meet the new challenges and the accelerating pace of the space adventure at global level, the collective has just launched a new major national consultation to update the report.

The update will be carried out in three stages:

Phase I

A collaborative approach on a participative platform, structured around seven thematic online forums, open to all, which will feed into phase II:

Financing
Strategic autonomy
Intelligence
Public opinion
Customers
Europe in a globalised world
A general forum to share your views outside the 6 themes

Phase II

Six thematic forums, mainly face-to-face, will be organised in a second phase and supervised by 6 specialised moderation teams.

Phase III

The issues will be debated at the NewSpace 2025 Conference on 7-8 July 2025.

Why join the participative platform?

Seize the opportunity to have your say on the subject of NewSpace!

Take part in dedicated forums to share your ideas and proposals and debate strategic issues.
Collaborate with hundreds of NewSpace professionals, experts and enthusiasts
Follow the progress of proposals and contribute to their concrete implementation

To take part, go to https://lnkd.in/ezqq7wKC

Members of the Collective :

Alliance NewSpace France
Centre National d’Études Spatiales
GIFAS – French Aerospace Industries Association
Eutelsat Group
3i3s-EUROPA
ASTech Paris Region
GALAXIE CLUB
Expansion
ISAE-SUPAERO
Minalogic
ONERA – The French Aerospace Lab
PARIS-SACLAY HARDWARE ACCELERATOR
SAFE cluster
SIRIUS Chair
Toulouse 1 Capitole University
Way4Space

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

Publication Date

13 January 2025

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Doctoral student

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

"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.

DMSM’s SA-I research team wins best poster award at 14th EASN conference

Publication Date

18 December 2024

Category

Research

Tag

Conference

Prize

Researcher

14ᵉ conférence EASN

Du 8 au 11 octobre 2024, Thessalonique, en Grèce, a accueilli la 14ᵉ Conférence Internationale de l’EASN (European Aeronautics Science Network).

Cet événement, sous le thème « Innovation in Aviation and Space towards sustainability today & tomorrow », a réuni des experts du secteur aéronautique et spatial pour discuter des innovations en matière de durabilité.

C’est dans ce cadre prestigieux qu’une équipe de chercheurs, l’équipe SA-I du Département de Mécanique des Systèmes et Modélisation (DMSM) a remporté le prix du meilleur poster scientifique pour leurs travaux remarquables ! Cette équipe regroupe des chercheurs du groupe MS2M, du groupe MSC, et du groupe SUMO de l’Institut Clément Ader (https://www.ica.cnrs.fr).

Une reconnaissance pour un travail de haute qualité

Le jury de la conférence a salué à la fois la rigueur scientifique et la présentation esthétique du poster. Le travail récompensé se distingue par une approche holistique de la durabilité des assemblages collés dans le domaine des transports, prenant en compte l’interconnexion des modes de transport dans un objectif de développement durable. Il propose une technologie innovante de démontabilité contrôlée d’assemblages collés, peu coûteuse et parfaitement compatible avec toutes les méthodes industrielles actuelles et futures d’assemblage par collage, et tous les adhésifs.

L’approche, qui articule la recherche fondamentale et appliquée, a été jugée particulièrement pertinente et en phase avec les attentes de la société civile.

C’est dans ce contexte que Lorraine Aparecida Silva a réalisé sa thèse, en collaboration internationale avec l’Université de Porto. Cette thèse financée par l’Ecole Doctorale MEGeP, inscrite à l’Université de Toulouse, et co-encadrée par deux laboratoires, l’ICA et l’INGEI, a permis d’aboutir à un brevet international porté par l’ISAE-SUPAERO et l’Université Paul Sabatier.

L’équipe SA-I a donc démontré sa capacité à concilier des enjeux complexes, alliant performance scientifique et pragmatisme industriel, tout en abordant des solutions durables, applicables dès aujourd’hui et dans le futur.

Christine Espinosa récompensée

En plus de ce prix prestigieux, Christine Espinosa, membre clé de l’équipe de recherche, a reçu des distinctions supplémentaires. Elle bénéficie d’une inscription individuelle gratuite pour l’année 2025 en tant que membre de l’EASN. De plus, elle recevra une inscription « full path » pour participer à la prochaine conférence EASN de 2025.

Enfin, les travaux de l’équipe seront publiés dans Aerospace Journal, une revue scientifique de renom dans le domaine de l’aéronautique et de l’espace.

Focus on… quantum physics in ISAE-SUPAERO training courses

Publication Date

16 December 2024

Category

Research

Tag

DEOS

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Teacher researcher

"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.

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

Publication Date

13 December 2024

Category

Research

Tag

Diversity program

Prize

Science

The Jean-Jacques and Félicia Lopez-Loreta Foundation encourages the best young graduates from four Swiss and French schools of excellence by awarding an annual prize of one million euros to support innovative and highly promising academic or entrepreneurial research projects.

This year, Noémie Martin, an engineer from ISAE-SUPAERO (ENSICA) and currently a post-doctoral fellow at ETH Zurich, has been awarded the Lopez-Loreta prize for her FASTE project: Additive Manufacturing of High-Performance Multi-Material Structures for Use in Severe Environments!

After obtaining her engineering degree, Noémie Martin went on to do a PhD at the Institut Clément Ader, which she obtained in 2022 after submitting an excellent CIFRE thesis on the hybridisation of additive manufacturing processes (funded by Segula Technologie), co-directed by Anis Hor, associate professor in the Mechanics, Structures and Materials Department (DMSM) at ISAE-SUPAERO and Philippe Lours, professor at the Institut Clément Ader.

Her work has been published in A-ranked journals (3 articles) and presented at several conferences. Passionate about research and additive manufacturing, she decided to pursue the adventure abroad with a post-doctorate she is currently carrying out at ETH Zurich to develop a new process: ‘High Speed Laser Cladding’.

The FASTE project: revolutionising manufacturing, dimensioning and characterisation methods for multi-material and multi-function parts
Today’s environmental and economic challenges require optimisation of the product life cycle to reduce carbon emissions and limit energy consumption. High-performance metal alloys are both a cause and a solution. They are used in a wide range of sectors, including energy production, transport and construction, and their use helps to optimise the performance of these sectors (durability and efficiency of engines, for example). However, their extraction and production are costly and polluting.

"The use of several materials for a single mechanical part improves the performance of that part during use. This concept is particularly interesting when the part or structure is subjected to multiple stresses (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, etc.), as it enables the performance of each material used to be exploited to the full. This will lead to multi-function mechanical systems that are less complex and more environmentally friendly (lighter structures, no need for cooling circuits, longer service life, repairability). However, the manufacture of multi-material structures using conventional processes is often costly, if not impossible. What's more, the dimensions of such parts are not standardised".

Noémie Martin

The ETH Zurich laboratory, where Noémie Martin is working, will contribute its expertise in micro-structure control in additive manufacturing. ISAE-SUPAERO will also be contributing its skills and technological equipment in the field of materials characterisation.

Overcoming all the scientific and technological hurdles

Thanks to this prize, and the combined expertise and human and material resources available in the laboratories of the two institutes, Noémie Martin’s research project aims to overcome all the scientific hurdles associated with the manufacture of multi-material parts, the dimensioning of these heterogeneous structures and the implementation of experimental and numerical methods for the multi-scale characterisation of such structures.

“Ultimately, the results of this project will be transferable to the energy and aerospace industries, offering additional solutions to designers of structures operating in harsh environments, while meeting new economic and environmental requirements”.

10 years of progress in neuroergonomics at ISAE-SUPAERO supported by AXA Fonds pour la Recherche

Publication Date

11 December 2024

Category

Research

Tag

Chair

Company

Partnership

AXA Chair

The AXA Chair pushes back the frontiers

Since its inception, the AXA Chair has been pushing back the frontiers of neuroscience, mobile brain imaging and artificial intelligence to understand the “brain at work”.

A decade of scientific and technological progress
10 years ago, the management of stress and attention span during difficult flight phases was still an emerging subject at ISAE-SUPAERO. Thanks to the Human Factors team, led by Professor Dehais Frederic, a lecturer and researcher in the Department for the Design and Operation of Aeronautical and Space Vehicles (DCAS), major advances have been made to improve safety in aviation.

10 years AXA Chair – F.Dehais

"In highlighting the tangible impact of this research on everyday life, improving both safety and quality of life, we express our gratitude to the AXA Research Fund for its vital support in driving this research forward, broadening its impact and fostering collaborations with real-world applications."

Frédéric Dehais

Today, this expertise directly benefits our students, with a specialisation in ‘Neuroergonomics and Artificial Intelligence’ in the final year of the engineering curriculum.

"Research plays a crucial role in reducing risks and improving air safety. We congratulate Prof. Frédéric Dehais on his remarkable contribution to the field of neuroergonomics and on the 10 years of success of this AXA Chair."

Ludovic Berlioux Head of Aerospace underwriting in France at AXA XL.

From aviation innovations to healthcare

10 years AXA Chair – AXA Research Fund logo

Work on brain-computer interfaces is also paving the way for revolutionary clinical applications. In collaboration with Professor Stein Silva (CHU Purpan), the team is developing a ‘cockpit bed’ capable of monitoring the state of comatose patients in real time, opening up new prospects for personalised medicine.

"Thanks to the support of the Axa Research Fund, we have been able to expand our team of researchers and increase their skills to make a real contribution to the progress of society. This is also the role of a school like ours.

Marie-Hélène BAROUX Managing Director of the Institute

10 years of impact and counting

One notable result of this research work was the creation of the startup Hinfact , in 2017, which grew out of the Institute’s neuroergonomics laboratory. Drawing on expertise in neuroscience, the latest AI technologies and the study of pilot behaviour and performance, Hinfact aims to improve the well-being and performance of operators of complex systems, particularly pilots.

10 years AXA Chair – Neuroergonomics

The company, run by Thomas Beissiere, a former ISAE-SUPAERO student in the Chair, now has 35 engineers and data scientists. It offers personalised adaptive training programmes for pilots, redefining the design, implementation and monitoring of training. This evidence-based training is available in 25 training centres around the world and is used by leading airlines.

"On the occasion of the 10ᵉ anniversary of the AXA Chair, we would like to thank Professor Frédéric Dehais for his outstanding leadership and commitment in achieving these significant advances and to thank ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse for its continued support of this essential research. We are proud of this 10-year support for pioneering researchers, which illustrates our commitment to innovative and transformative science for human progress".

Julia d’Astorg Director of the AXA Research Fund

Many thanks to our partners and researchers for their commitment to science that transforms society!

Best Scientific Paper Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2024 Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

Publication Date

20 November 2024

Category

Research

Tag

Prize

Researcher

Scientific publication

DeepGeo" article voted best scientific article by the AIAA

As part of an international collaboration between EPFL, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and ISAE-SUPAERO, six researchers have been awarded the best scientific paper prize by the AIAA for their paper: “DeepGeo: Deep Geometric Mapping for Automated and Effective Parameterization in Aerodynamic Shape Optimization”.

The DeepGeo model proposes an innovative, fully automated, neural network-based approach to generating the mesh required for complex non-parametric geometries.

This AI model, coupled with a numerical simulation code, considerably reduces the trial and error phases involved in optimising the physical performance of an object. It opens up new prospects for aerodynamic design research and for the development of sustainable aeronautics solutions.

The authors

Zhen Wei, EPFL
Aobo Yang, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Jichao Li, Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR
Michaël Bauerheim, ISAE-SUPAERO
Rhea P. Liem, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Pascal Fua, EPFL

To read the article: https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/b3fd399e-a66f-433d-b066-c44d454ec9bd

Michaël Bauerheim, Associate Professor at DAEP

Michaël Bauerheim is an associate professor at ISAE-SUPAERO, the University of Sherbrooke (Canada) and an AI consultant.

His research work at DAEP is in the fields of aeroacoustics and high-performance learning for the physics of aeronautical flows. In this field, he is exploring the potential of AI techniques (deep learning and/or reinforcement learning) to solve fluid mechanics problems for which conventional methods fail or have shown their limitations.

He is also working on fluid-structure interactions, bio-inspired aerodynamics and Lattice-Boltzmann methods as part of various projects.

For more information on his work: https://pagespro.isae-supaero.fr/michael-bauerheim/

From classroom to cockpit: flying activities at ISAE-SUPAERO

Publication Date

13 November 2024

Category

Research

Tag

Aeronautics

Programme

With a fleet of 9 light aircraft, COAL offers 3 types of activity

Flying lessons for the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), which allows students to fly single-engine aircraft.
Practical work directly linked to the school’s teaching programmes, from flight mechanics to an introduction to flight test techniques for continuing education.
Research work focusing mainly on human factors and the cognitive mechanisms of pilots in real time during flight.

At ISAE-SUPAERO, engineering and Masters students are lucky enough to be able to take their pilot’s licence just a few kilometres from the campus. Several instructors accompany them and train them to fly.

All are members of the Aerospace Vehicle Design and Operation Research Department, headed by Valérie Budinger.

Since 2018, the ISAE-SUPAERO flight operations centre has been equipped with a twin-engine Vulcanair P68 Observer 2. This aircraft is equipped with a telemetry system enabling flight parameters to be monitored in real time from the campus lecture theatres. A versatile aircraft with a large payload, it can carry a variety of sensors thanks to a hatch under the fuselage. It also has unique instrumentation for research activities and sensors for monitoring pilots (remote eye trackers, scene cameras, etc.) synchronised with flight parameters. It enables the attentional and cognitive states of pilots (fatigue, distraction, inattention, engagement, etc.) to be estimated in real time during the flight.