Le Centre Spatial Universitaire de Toulouse (CSUT) is a Scientific Interest Group (GIS) created on June 28, 2016. It brings together eight academic and research partners:
- ENAC, Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile
- INP Toulouse, gathering engineering schools: ENSAT, ENSEEIHT, ENSIACET, ENIT, ENM et PURPAN
- ISAE-SUPAERO,Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace, holder of the CSUT
- INSA Toulouse
- UT3, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier
- IRAP, institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et planétologie (Observatoire Midi Pyrénées)
- LAAS-CNRS, Laboratoire d’Automatique et d’Architecture des Systèmes
- ONERA, Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales
The CNES, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, is an associate member of the CSUT and supports the CSUT through the PERSEUS project (launchers), its balloon division (BSD or weather balloon), and the NANOLAB ACADEMY project (student nano satellites).
The CSUT organizes the development and realization of collaborative and innovative projects of space nano-systems primarily using nano-satellites (Cubesats) or stratospheric balloon flights to conduct scientific or technological missions. It thus participates in the training of future actors in the space field and supports the research actions of its members or partners in the field of miniaturized space systems.
The CSUT also ensures national and international visibility for the projects it participates in by organizing workshops and seminars, conferences and summer schools, and publishing the results obtained.
The CSUT is supported by a team of 20 permanent engineers and teacher-researchers, and 3 engineers on fixed-term contracts.
The ongoing projects aim to develop a 3U Cubesat sector (one U corresponding to a cube of 10 cm on each side).
The CSUT has thus been involved in the realization of 5 3U projects:
- ENTRYSAT : first 3U cubesat developed by ISAE-SUPAERO, for the study of atmospheric re-entry. It was launched in April 2019 and re-entered in August 2021.
- EYE-SAT : 3U very high-performance cubesat developed by CNES in a student framework, for a scientific astronomy mission. It was launched in December 2019 and re-entered in November 2023.
- SPECTRA : 3U cubesat developed in partnership with the École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées Bretagne, for the study of the electromagnetic spectrum. The project did not progress beyond phase 0/A and was abandoned in 2020.
- CREME : 3U cubesat developed in partnership with ONERA for the study of terrestrial radiation belts. The project reached phase C. An operational engineering model is available on the ground for students, but the launch was abandoned.
- NIMPH : 3U cubesat, test in orbit of optoelectronic components for future space communications, relies on the capitalization and experience of ENTRYSAT and EYE-SAT. The project is under development, with a launch scheduled for 2026.
The CSUT participated in the study of 2 projects 12U:
- ATISE : 12U cubesat developed in cooperation with CSUG (Grenoble University Space Center), for the study of polar auroras.
- HESTIA : 12U cubesat developed for the study of urban heat islands with a miniaturized thermal infrared instrument.
PARTNERS
U-SPACE
U-Space provides a complete space system service based on 3U and 6U CubeSats. Our core business is systems engineering. We provide fully tailored comprehensive solutions to meet our clients’ needs, on which they can build high value-added professional services.
Our offers are based on the work we have done over the past 5 years at CNES, where we developed and implemented some of the best innovations in the world.
We purchase equipment from the best suppliers to ensure the quality and maximum performance of our products.
HEMERIA
NEXEYA is one of the top three European suppliers of sandwich panels, thermal insulation blankets (MLI), satellite harnesses (instrument, payload, platform) and launchers (Ariane), battery packaging, and SCOE and OCOE test benches.
NEXEYA also develops its own range of nano-satellites, called HEMERIA, allowing untrained professionals to have quick, highly competitive, and efficient access to space. NEXEYA offers a range of small platforms from 6U to 27U, weighing between 10 and 40 kg, equipped with excellent operational reliability.
Regardless of the project, NEXEYA teams work in an environment tailored to the constraints and standards of the space industry. With over 2000m² of integration clean rooms (ISO 8) and teams of experts possessing in-depth knowledge and solid practice of ECSS, RNC, NASA, MIL, and ARIANESPACE standards, NEXEYA is committed to the success of its clients.
COMAT
Our 40 years of experience has made us an important player in the space industry, mainly in the field of space mechanics and electric propulsion. We have established a high-tech industry, combined with innovative R&D teams capable of adapting to all environments. We aim to become the European leader in micropropulsion by developing some of the most innovative technologies that can be mass-produced to reduce costs.
MECANO I&D
Since 1994, MECANO ID has been supporting its clients in the development of systems with a mechanical and thermal focus subjected to harsh environments. Driven by the technological excellence of its engineering, composite manufacturing, and environmental testing activities, it brings its expertise to the space sector.
For this sector of activity, MECANO ID designs, manufactures, and qualifies equipment, instruments, and structures embedded on launchers and on telecommunications, scientific, observation, and exploration satellites.
The team of 100 people is based in Toulouse in dedicated premises of 3000 m2, bringing together engineering, simulation, manufacturing, and cleanroom integration capabilities, as well as an environmental testing laboratory for mechanical and thermal conditions: vibrations, shocks, climate, and thermal vacuum.
Thus, MECANO ID has all the necessary skills to support its clients, from the definition of the specifications to the delivery of the qualified system, after environmental testing.
ALTEN
ALTEN, world leader in Engineering and IT Services, present in over 30 countries and having more than 54,100 employees.
For 35 years, ALTEN has been supporting the development strategy of its clients in the areas of:
- lnnovation
- R&D
- technological information systems.
The Group has established itself as a global leader in Engineering and IT Services, covering the entire product development cycle on technology projects, working with major players in the sectors:
- Aeronautic & Space
- Defense, Security & Naval
- Automotive & Railways
- Energy
- Life Sciences
- Industrial & electronic equipment
- Telecom
- Banking, Finance & Insurance
- Retail, Services, Media & Public Sector.
ALTEN Innovation : at the service of its clients and the planet.
Societal, environmental, and industrial challenges are continuously increasing in a world that needs to be more sustainable, more secure, while providing everyone with products and services tailored to their needs and ever more efficient.
In terms of innovation, ALTEN offers a unique, multidisciplinary, and multi-sector field of investigation to all its consultants, combining both engineering professions with those of digital and business services. Guided by technical and scientific experts and specialists, they build innovative value propositions within the ALTEN Labs that combine these various areas of expertise:
- Data Science
- Industry 4.0
- Cloud & DevOps
- Networks & Telecommunications
- Supply Chain
- Image processing and multiphysics modelinge
- Quality
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence, embedded software & robotics
In order to accelerate innovation in its various areas of strategic expertise, ALTEN also surrounds itself with innovative partners, who themselves are experts in their scientific, technological, and/or academic fields.
Thus, the SMART DIGITAL initiative gives ALTEN a head start with 9 main research programs on cross-cutting themes, which cover all of its areas of intervention and are always perfectly tailored to the issues of its clients.
The ALTEN Labs currently bring together 100 permanent staff, more than 10 doctoral candidates in scientific theses, and 350 full-time equivalent consultants on rotation, with a growth dynamic of 5 to 10% per year.
They are also a reflection of the Group’s eco-responsible approach, which translates into increased demands: in 2022, ALTEN dedicated 25% of its activities to sustainable innovation topics, and this percentage grows year by year.