TIME X “20 Minutes” asked students at the University Space Center of Montpellier what motivated them to embark on these amazing studies
< img class=”aligncenter” src=”https://thegaltimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/making-a-rocket-launch-walking-on-mars-what-are-space-studies-students-aboutnbsp- af78a1c.jpg” alt=”Take off a rocket, walk on Mars… What do space studies students dream about?” />
Students work in collaboration with researchers, companies and space agencies. — N. Bonzom/Maxele Press
- In Montpellier, the University Space Center trains students in space careers, allowing them to create real nanosatellites from A to Z.
- Ezéchiel, one of them, has “always been attracted by the spatial”. When he was younger, he devoured books “about the Apollo missions and the conquest of space” and observed the stars with a telescope. It was only later “that I understood that space was not inaccessible to me, and so I decided to combine work and passion”.
- “What interests them is to participate in an adventure”, to create real nanosatellites that will help improve our lives, says the director, Laurent Dusseau. “Here, the project, they follow it from the idea, until the launch. »
Aiming for the Moon, ça does not scare the students of the University Space Center of Montpellier (Hérault) (CSUM). In this high-flying establishment, a pioneer in France in the construction of nanosatellites, the students work to the creation of real machines dedicated to to be put into orbit. Last year, their fourth and fifth nanosatellites were released. launched successfully, at on board the European Vega-C rocket.
In 2023, it’s Robusta3A Mediterranean, a Cube Sat imagined to anticipate the episodes of the Cévennes, which should be sent to in space. Since 2013, some 140 students have worked on the creation of this jewel of technology. But by embarking on such a particular course, at what are CSUM students dreaming about?
“Connecting work and passion”
Ezéchiel, student in a specialized master’s degree in the development of space systems, has “always been attracted by space”. Younger, this apprentice, who left a school of engineers to devote itself entirely to space, devoured books “on the Apollo missions and the conquest of space” and observed the stars and planets with a telescope. “I remember doing several tours of the City; of space and having participated to activities of the CNES [National Center for Space Studies], organized for the youngest,” he confides. It’s only later, explains Ezekiel, “I understood that space was not inaccessible to me, and so I decided to to connect work and passion”.
Cléo, one of his classmates, also remembers having “always been interested in space, “never thinking that I would ever be part of it,” she says. Neither of them regrets having joined. this establishment like no other. On the contrary. Cléo is enthusiastic about “innovative space projects” of the University Space Center. As for Ezekiel, he dreams of experiencing “a rocket take-off”, “just like participating in the return of Man to the Moon and the first step on Mars” ;.
“I was afraid that I wouldn’t be there. the height”
Morgane has finished. his course at the CSUM. When she started her studies in the establishment, after her school of engineers, she admits that she “was a little afraid to get into space”. “I had the image of something extremely technical, which was not accessible to people’ a person like me. I was afraid of not being there. the height. And yet, it’s completely accessible. I was like, ‘Why haven’t I done this before!’” Today, she dreams of “doing it all,” she smiles. Working on satellites, launchers, or on machines intended for be sent to other planets.
