Nanosatellites at the University of Montpellier

Institut de botanique, amphithéâtre Charles Flahault - 163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, 34000 Montpellier.

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Conference presented by Laurent Dusseau, professor at the University of Montpellier, director of the Center Spatial Universitaire Montpellier-Nîmes.

Initially conceived as a means of introducing students to space engineering, nanosatellites are now at the heart of major economic stakes. The miniaturization of the technology and the emergence of new markets have generated exponential growth in launches, and enabled these few-kg satellites to offer access to space to new players such as universities, SMEs and local authorities.

In this field, the University of Montpellier has acquired a head start by launching the first French nanosatellite ROBUSTA-1A in 2012, following a six-year development program. ROBUSTA-1B took over in June 2017 and remains to this day the only operational French "CubeSat", whose scientific spin-offs are far from negligible. This summer, it will be joined in space by MTCUBE, while three other nanosatellites are under development at the UM University Space Center with the support of the Van Allen Foundation and several big names in space.

The MUSC adventure deserves to be told from a technological point of view, but also from a human one. It has enabled over 500 students to train and find employment in a field that is struggling to recruit, and where strategic jobs are not easy to locate.

But if Cubesats go viral and invade space, isn't there a risk of creating debris? For several years now, the CSU has been working with CNES to implement "best practices" that have enabled it to meet all the requirements of the French law on space operations, which ensures the sustainable and shared development of space activities.

The final act in the ROBUSTA epic is being played out on land, with the construction in 2015 of a 2,300 m² building in which several leading companies in the field are already located alongside the CSU, creating a veritable ecosystem dedicated to nanosatellites and a value chain.

From the dream of a few enthusiasts to the creation of dozens, even hundreds of jobs in the region that our children, trained at the UM, will be able to fill, this incredible adventure has made Montpellier the French capital of nanosatellites.

Space, yes, but with your feet firmly on the ground!

Upcoming events :

• Thursday, May 23: A rediscovered treasure: Rennes' collection of scientific instruments (1840-1900).
• Thursday June 27: Medical imaging and innovative teaching methods.