Education
16 Sep 2024
"My summer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory": what Axel, a student on the Advanced Master® TAS Astro, has to say about it
- Axel Coulon has been on placement at NASA’s famous JPL in Los Angeles since May;
- He is working there on the detection of helicopter landing sites on Mars;
- As a student on the MS TAS Astro course, he talks about the incredible space adventure that has taken him from his native Lorraine to California.
It’s the story of a kid from Lorraine who has always asked himself a lot of questions. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve been in search of meaning,” says Axel Coulon. That’s why I was interested in philosophy and space from a very early age. Four years ago, the American Mars 2020 mission turned this interest into a passion.
This mission to explore the Red Planet, which culminated in the Perseverance rover being sent to Mars, was developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). But back then, in 2020, Axel had no idea that he would be working in this prestigious laboratory as a student at ISAE-SUPAERO. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, he was continuing his higher education at Polytech Nancy, an engineering school near his home.
And he was riveted by the Perseverance odyssey. “I kept asking myself: how could we send a helicopter and a rover to Mars?” The Martian adventure ended up influencing his decision to focus his training on space, and more specifically on space rovers and helicopters.
“I always wanted to do Supaéro. But preparatory classes and Grandes Écoles weren’t common in the environment I grew up in.”
After an academic stay in Montreal to study on-board automation, Axel first landed a placement at ESA’s European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne. It was a dream come true. “I was helping to develop electronic software for the tablets that astronauts use to send data from field training. I had the opportunity to work with European astronauts like Luca Parmitano and to meet Thomas Pesquet on several occasions. I used to think about the village of 1,000 where I grew up and say to myself, this is incredible”.
Once he had his engineering degree, he decided to do a year’s specialisation at ISAE-SUPAERO via the TAS Astro Advanced Masters®. In September 2023, he will be heading for Toulouse to fulfil a new dream: “I’ve always wanted to do Supaéro. But preparatory classes and Grandes Écoles weren’t common in the environment I grew up in.”
On the Toulouse campus, Axel quickly felt like a fish in water. He made friends with other space enthusiasts and joined diving and football clubs. He also immersed himself 100% in his training: “It was an intense and demanding year, but it was great for acquiring a complete knowledge of space engineering! Above all, he was able to talk to alumni who had just returned from their internships at NASA.” That’s when the idea, still crazy a few months earlier, took shape in his mind: “I’m going to do it too.”
” My teachers were very supportive. I realised that when you dare to ask for help, you get it. And that gives you confidence.”
But an internship at JPL was not a foregone conclusion. “Thanks to my teachers, I contacted a number of researchers working in flight robotics, but the replies were slow in coming.”
Without wasting any time, he threw himself into another challenge: finding funding. Several months passed, during which Axel took the risk of turning down a great opportunity for an internship in France. Deep down, he couldn’t stop believing. “My teachers in Toulouse and Nancy were very supportive. I realised that when you dare to ask for help, you get it, and that gives you confidence.” And that gives you confidence. And he was right. His deserving profile and results won him an Espace grant from the Fondation des Ailes de France, a grant from his region (Grand Est) and a grant from the Fondation ISAE-SUPAERO. After four and a half months, he completed his budget by supplementing this funding with a loan from the same Foundation.
Los Angeles is finally in his sights. At the end of April 2024, Axel sets off with the excitement of discovering the laboratory to which he owes his passion. But also the West Coast and the famous American way of life. “When you first discover American life, you’re amazed,” he says. There are house parties, you visit California… Everything seems so big. When you see LA from the window of the plane, you ask yourself: how big is this city? From time to time, however, he is reminded of the Pink City. “There are lots of Sup’ alumni in LA! For the first few weeks, when I’d walk around with my ISAE-SUPAERO T-shirt or cap on, I’d get stopped in the street,” he jokes. I thought: they’re everywhere!
At the JPL alone, he meets up with five other ISAE-SUPAERO students, all from the General Engineering course. “I don’t think we’ve ever been so many at the same time!” The atmosphere is “very international” and the site fills him with wonder: “It’s just as I imagined it would be.” I’m working in the new drone aviary. You can see there’s a lot of equipment and a lot of money.
“There are lots of Sup’ alumni in LA! For the first few weeks, when I went around wearing my ISAE-SUPAERO T-shirt or cap, I’d get stopped in the street. I thought: they’re everywhere!”
His research placement focuses on the detection of landing sites for helicopters on Mars, in line with Mars 2020. However, the corporate culture is different from what he is used to in Europe. Fortunately, Axel has already had the opportunity to work in an American environment, during an academic semester at the French branch of Georgia Tech University in Metz. “In the United States, we don’t see work and management in the same way as in France. Problems are solved like an audit. Everyone also has a lot of freedom to act, which builds confidence. We assume that people know what they’re doing.”
This freedom of initiative is all the greater because he arrived just a few months after a plan to make engineers redundant at JPL. “There was work to be done and I was immediately given the responsibilities of an engineer.”
“In the United States, we don’t see work and management in the same way as in France. Problems are solved like an audit. Everyone also has a lot of freedom to act, which builds confidence. We assume that people know what they’re doing.”
However, he doesn’t see himself staying in the United States after his internship. “As a Frenchman, I think it’s important to come back and work in Europe, on the continent that trained me and gave me so much. After his first love of Mars, he is now looking to the Moon. “With the prospect of future explorations, it’s very exciting!” His new goal? To work at the ESA, at the EAC where I did my traineeship, and where lunar equipment is being developed.
He’s sure to miss the Californian sun when he gets back, just after Halloween. But Axel is also looking forward to seeing his loved ones again. “Here in LA, everyone has their own car and house, and there are very few people in the street. I kind of miss the social atmosphere of France!”
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Training courses: space studiesFind out more about our courses and #information in the field of space! The space dimension is strongly developed within our various training courses, whether in specific streams or dedicated programs. French and international students alike are showing a keen interest in our educational programs in Earth observation and the sciences of the Universe, as well as in the design and operation of space systems. Space research and industry employ many ISAE-SUPAERO engineers. Explore the world of space!
Programme
Space
Videos
Sylvestre Maurice, astrophysicist and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnusAwarded a prize by the Académie des Sciences in 2020, Sylvestre Maurice #astrophysicist at the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP) in Toulouse witnessed the landing of the #Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18, 2021. A historic moment for this enthusiast, who is also the scientific manager of the onboard SuperCam instrument. A 1990 graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO, Sylvestre Maurice tells us about his career.
Alumni
Researcher
Space
Videos
Testimony of Pauline Heuze, Recruitment Assistant at Liebherr Aerospace and TransportationLiebherr develops, manufactures and maintains innovative air systems for the aerospace industry. Sustainable aviation has become a major challenge for the aeronautics industry, requiring close collaboration between companies and ISAE-SUPAERO, particularly through its training courses. At the Village Entreprises, ISAE-SUPAERO was able to talk to our students and present various internship programs, collaborative projects and career opportunities. To develop its innovation policy, Liebherr needs young engineers ready to take up the challenges of sustainable aviation, but also skilled in the fields of sustainable technologies, alternative propulsion systems and resource management.
Career
Company
Partner
Testimonials
"World Alumni Day": Three questions for Aude Vignelles, 1991 graduate of ENSICA's Aeronautical Engineering programmeAeronautics
Alumni
Testimonial
Pages
Validation of prior experienceThe validation of prior experience is an individual right enshrined in the French Labor Code and Education Code. It enables candidates to obtain all - or part - of a professional certification (Diploma, Professional Title, Certificate of Professional Qualification), based on their professional, salaried or non-salaried and/or voluntary experience. This scheme can be used if the candidate is seeking personal recognition, or more generally to support a professional project that he or she wishes to put into practice.
Advanced Master®
Aeronautics
Aerospace
Testimonials
Testimony from Rémi Caresche, student (class of 2025) of the TAS ASTRO Advanced Master®Aerospace
Alumni
Testimonial
News
Listening to the Martian past: ISAE-SUPAERO at the heart of the ExoMars missionESA's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission to explore Mars will carry a unique instrument for recording sound and atmospheric data from the planet. The Institute has been selected by ESA and CNES for this major scientific collaboration.
DEOS
Researcher
Science
News
Les Assises du New Space: update of the “Ambition NewSpace 2027” reportIn 2022, the Assises du NewSpace collective - a group of players representing the French space industry - published the report “Ambition NewSpace 2027”. Today, the collective is launching another major national consultation to update this report and shape the future of French space!
Conference
Round table
Space
News
Hera probe captures exceptional images of Mars and its moon DeimosDEOS
Researcher
Science
Videos
REPLAY of the webinar on the Advanced Master®in Artificial Intelligence and Business TransformationDiscover ISAE-SUPAERO's Advanced Master® program in Artificial Intelligence and Business Transformation. Catherine DUVAL, Head of Business and Professional Development, and Carlos AGUILAR MELCHOR, Professor and Head of the Advanced Master program, answer all your questions!
Advanced Master®
Programme
Testimonials
Testimonial of Elisa Baumgarten, Advanced Master® AES student (class of 2025)Advanced Master®
Testimonial
Pages
“Integrated Image Sensors” (CIMI) scientific groupThe “Integrated Image Sensors” (CIMI) scientific group, develops and characterizes active-pixel image sensors (CMOS Image Sensors (CIS)) on silicon for visible and infrared radiation.
DEOS
Doctoral student
PhD
Pages
“Navigation, Radar and Remonte Sensing” (NAVIR² eS) scientific groupThe “Navigation, Radar and Remonte Sensing” (NAVIR² eS) scientific group is interested in the theoretical study of information sources and hybridization approaches for autonomous vehicle navigation applications.
DEOS
Doctoral student
PhD
Pages
“Communication and Information Theory” (ComiT) scientific groupThe “Communication and Information Theory” (ComiT) scientific group is involved in the disciplines of digital communications, radar, and channel access techniques. Its fields of application include space systems, civil and military aviation, terrestrial cellular networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).
DEOS
Doctoral program
Doctoral student
News
3 questions to... Ervan Kassarian, S-Cube member from 2015 to 2017Meet Ervan Kassarian, member of S-Cube - SUPAERO Space Section - ISAE-SUPAERO's experimental rocket club, from 2015 to 2017.
Space
Student club
Student life
News
ISAE-SUPAERO announces new partnership with ESA Academy to support future Master in Aerospace Engineering studentsAerospace
Master in Aerospace Engineering
Scholarship
News
Mars hit by meteorites more often than previously thoughtTwo researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO contributed to new discoveries based on data from the seismometer sent to Mars during the InSight mission, one of whose main objectives was to measure seismic activity on the Red Planet.
Space
Testimonials
Testimony of Juan-Carlos DOLADO-PEREZ, alumni of the 2008 Master's degree in Aerospace EngineeringAlumni
Space
Testimonial
News
SILOE, an experimental drop tower project selected by ESA and an ESPACE grant for Alexia DuchêneThe SILOE experimental drop tower project aims to study the cohesion of planetary surfaces. This student project is supported by ESA as part of its European ‘Academy Experiments’ program. Alexia Duchêne, SILOE project leader, has been awarded a scholarship of excellence from the Fondation des Ailes de France.
DEOS
Space
Testimonials
Testimony from Alice Fabre, 2021 graduate of the TAS AERO Advanced MasterAeronautics
Alumni
Decarbonization
Pages
“Learning, Decision, Optimization” (ADO) scientific groupDISC
Doctoral student
PhD
Testimonials
Testimony of Giuseppe Cataldo, alumnus of the 2010 Engineer ISAE-SUPAERO (MSc) programAlumni
Space
Testimonial
Videos
ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space organize an international training course on space systemsTwenty engineers from the Peruvian space agency CONIDA (Comisión Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Aeroespacial) attended a training course in Toulouse designed jointly by ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space! The aim? To develop their skills in space systems and space missions. The entire program was placed under the academic responsibility of AnnaFederica Urbano, a lecturer and researcher in space systems and launchers at ISAE-SUPAERO. The engineers took part in a preliminary satellite design project. At the end of the five-week course, they all obtained the Certificate of Advanced Studies awarded by ISAE-SUPAERO. For ISAE-SUPAERO and Airbus Defence and Space, this experience opens up prospects for future collaborations in training courses of this type for international customers and industrial and institutional partners. For more information: https://www.isae-supaero.fr/fr/actualites/airbus-defence-and-space-et-l-isae-supaero-forment-des-membres-de-l-agence/
Programme
Space
Testimonials
Testimony of Ernest Chi Tse, alumni class of 2018 of the Advanced Master® ASAAAdvanced Master®
Alumni
Testimonial
Pages
Paying Apprenticeship TaxAre you a company, an organisation or a structure subject to corporation tax? By directing all or part of your apprenticeship tax to ISAE-SUPAERO, you will be playing an essential role in our mission to offer a complete and unique range of very high-level scientific training in the field of aerospace engineering and to participate in the transformation of aviation & its decarbonisation for a sustainable future! By choosing ISAE-SUPAERO as your beneficiary, you are encouraging the success of tomorrow's talent!
Aeronautics
Aerospace
Apprenticeship tax
Videos
Pierre-Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group: European leader in naval defense and partner of ISAE-SUPAERODiscover the interview with Pierre-Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus, who talks about cooperation between schools and companies.
Career
Company
Partner
News
Ariane 6: at ISAE-SUPAERO, researchers are already working on the futureThe European Ariane 6 launcher incorporates major technological innovations such as the Vinci engine, capable of reigniting in space. At ISAE-SUPAERO, researchers are tackling the challenges posed by the rocket engines of tomorrow.
Space
News
Training new skills for the future of space: COMETES is launched!Company
Job
Space
Events
ISAE-SUPAERO will be at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget from June 16 to 22, 2025ISAE-SUPAERO will be present at the 55ᵉ Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace at Le Bourget from June 16 to 22, 2025!
Aeronautics
Aerospace
Event
News
3 questions to... Loïc Jecker, S-Cube member from 2011 to 2013Meet Loïc Jecker, member of S-Cube - SUPAERO Space Section - ISAE-SUPAERO's experimental rocket club, from 2011 to 2013.
Space
Student club
Student life
News
Valentin LELOUP, quantum and optical telecommunications systems engineer: the quantum and space tandemValentin Leloup, R&D engineer at Thales, combines two fields of expertise: quantum physics and space. He holds an engineering degree from ISAE-SUPAERO 2022 and a Master 2 in fundamental physics and applications.
Alumni
News
Research
News
Our alumni have their say: Meeting with Nathanaël Lecompte (S2021)Nathanaël is a recent graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO with a degree in engineering. Of all the opportunities available to him, he chose to pursue a career in renewable energy. He explains his motivations and his career path!
Sustainability
Testimonial
Pages
“Photonics Antenna Microwave PlasmaA” (PAMPA) scientific groupThe “Photonics Antenna Microwave PlasmaA” (PAMPA) scientific group is interested in electromagnetism in the fields of microwaves and photonics, as well as wave-plasma interactions.
DEOS
Doctoral student
PhD
Videos
Testimonials from Alex Dejoie and Sofia Cardola, engineering and master in aerospace engineering studentsISAE-SUPAERO recently welcomed some 40 companies from a wide range of industrial and service sectors to its campus. These companies, represented by alumni and HR managers, were able to share internship and job opportunities with over 500 students in attendance. The event also provided an opportunity for privileged exchanges between students and professionals on current and future challenges and projects. These close encounters were particularly enriching, providing young talent with sound advice and a mutual understanding of needs and expectations! The Enterprise Village is a fantastic opportunity to forge links and develop your professional network, while at the same time widening the field of possibilities. Through this initiative, ISAE-SUPAERO, at the heart of our students' training, has reaffirmed its central role in guiding them towards the professional world. Read the testimonials of Alex Dejoie, a student engineer specializing in astrophysics and space, and Sofia Cardola, a student in the Master in Aerospace Engineering program.
Career
Company
Testimonial