A nanosatellite to detect the risk of a Cévenol event
The goal ofthe “Mediterranean Project” is to improve forecasting of Cévenol episodes by collecting data where water vapor forms—that is, at sea. This new initiative, proposed by the Montpellier University Space Center (CSUM) and supported by the Van Allen Foundation and its partners—including theUM —is expected to come to fruition in 2021 with the launch of the ROBUSTA-3A MÉDITERRANÉE nanosatellite.
It’s a phenomenon that the people of Montpellier know well: Cévenol episodes. They’ve become a regular feature of our autumns—one might almost consider them part of our folklore if the human and material toll weren’t so heavy each time. What is perhaps less well known is the origin of these sudden weather events.“A Cévenol or Mediterranean episode is a clash of air masses between warm, humid air in the lower atmosphere—coming from the sea—and cold air at higher altitudes originating from the Cévennes,” explains Laurent Dusseau, director of the Van Allen Foundation and the CSUM.
Measuring Water Vapor at Sea
Today, it is easy to measure these humidity fields using GNSS signals—also known as satellite positioning systems. To put it simply: this is a system based on a constellation of small satellites that allows us to determine, via our cell phones for example, the time or our 3D position.“These signals are affected by the presence of water in the atmosphere. “We’ll use these variations to calculate the amount of water vapor at a given location T,” explains Laurent Dusseau. “This is a technique routinely used by Météo-France, and there are many observation points throughout France.”
There are certainly many observation points in France, but none at sea—and that is precisely what makes this project so unique and innovative.“By detecting these masses of warm air as soon as they form at sea, we could better anticipate Cévenol episodes.” To make this possible, a partnership has been signed with the Port of Sète to install sensors aboard ships sailing in the Mediterranean. These devices will transmit signals that will be picked up by the Robusta-3A Méditerranée nanosatellite and then relayed in near real time to research teams at ENSTA Bretagne, IGN, and Météo-France, the study’s other partners.“For the information to remain valid, it is essential that it be transmitted live,” insists Laurent Dusseau.
A 100% CSUM Nanosatellite
Entirely designed by CSUM and financially supported by the Van Allen Foundation and the National Center for Space Studies (CNES) as part of the JANUS project, the Robusta-3A Méditerranée nanosatellite is expected to be ready for launch by the end of 2021. This marks the culmination of a project that began in 2013 and involved 140 students, as well as about ten apprentices and interns. The electronic subsystems were developed by the CSUM as part of pre-maturation projects led by the Occitanie region. Robusta-3A will thus join the three other nanosatellites already launched by the CSUM.
For their part, the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN) and the National School of Advanced Technology (ENSTA) in Brittany—both partners of the CSUM—have been working on determining the amount of data needed to successfully complete the scientific portion of the mission. A dissertation co-funded by the foundation and ENSTA will begin in December to continue the work on methods for analyzing the collected data. “With this project, we are fully aligned with the major themes of Muse,” concludes Laurent Dusseau. “Better anticipation of severe weather events will indeed allow for greater protection of the population.”
The Van Allen Foundation
Established in late 2012, the Van Allen Foundation, a partner of theUM, has as its primary mission to raise funds through corporate philanthropy and make them available to theUM on behalf of the Montpellier University Space Center (CSUM). It promotes its innovation and development projects through communications initiatives and oversees the governance of the CSUM.
As a key partner of the University of Montpellier, the Van Allen Foundation has five founding members: theUM, Airbus Defense and Space, the microelectronics supplier 3D Plus, the engineering services provider Expleo, and the interconnection systems manufacturer Latécoère Interconnection Systems. Each of them contributes between 50,000 and 100,000 euros annually to the foundation and holds a seat on the board of directors.
The Van Allen Foundation plays a major role in fostering collaboration between industry and academia in the space sector, where it promotes the transfer of technology and knowledge. It also provides funding for hands-on training for young people in space-related careers. Since its creation in 2012, the foundation has funded 180 student internships, investing €2.75 million in the Montpellier University Space Center and its nanosatellite projects.