IAC 2024: they were there

What do you remember about taking part in IAC 2024?

We were able to exchange ideas with experts in hybrid propulsion and other students working in the same field, to discuss solutions and get ideas for our projects, such as an innovative way of catalyzing peroxide or examples of how to improve the power system in future iterations.

We have also discussed our project with several companies and obtained contacts that can help either us or colleagues secure internships or develop partnerships. For example, we got in touch with a metal 3D printing company that produced combustion chambers for a team of students in the Netherlands.

On a personal level, I had the opportunity to meet the vast majority of European launcher companies and sometimes their human resources staff, to discuss their situation and their growth and development projections, which gave me an insight into present and future opportunities within these organizations.

Any final words for those who make these opportunities possible?

What you do is important. We sometimes tend to underestimate the power that this type of event has on the students themselves and on the teams. Last year, I had the privilege of being part of the Supaero Space Section delegation at the IAC. In any case, for me personally, as soon as you take part in this kind of event and see this massive community of scientists, engineers and companies making space a reality, that’s when everything starts to make sense. The years of study, the exams… When technical excellence and personal excellence meet, we marvel. For students and student projects for which funding is a big problem, it’s only thanks to these donations that we can take part in these events.

More concretely, last year we met people at the IAC who pointed us in the direction of financial support for research projects, which we applied for and obtained, almost doubling the budget we had and allowing us to operate this year with much more freedom and acquire key expensive systems to take the Æther project forward. We’ll see where the people and innovations we’ve met at IAC take us.

From the bottom of my heart and that of my colleagues: Thank you!

What do you take away from your experience at IAC 2024?

My participation in the IAC gave me my first experience of presenting at a conference, a good first experience given my desire to go into research. This event enabled me to meet different players in the space industry, to learn more about the ecosystem and to determine which sector, field and institution I’d like to be in later on. The conference confirmed that I didn’t want to work in a start-up and that I’d rather work for a government institution.

I would like to thank the Foundation and these donors for enabling students to carry out extra-curricular projects thanks to their funding.

What do you take away from your experience at IAC 2024?

My participation in this conference enabled me to make direct contact with people whose career paths interested and inspired me. I was able to schedule interviews and apply directly to company directors, with a view to finding my future end-of-studies internship.

Thank you so much for your support, which can completely change a career path for the better!

What do you take away from your experience at IAC 2024?

Our participation in this conference enabled us to forge valuable links with some of the most important people and researchers in the space sector. We had the opportunity to present our profile, talk to experts, and explore future opportunities with innovative companies such as Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, Astroscale, and many others. These interactions gave us a better understanding of career prospects in the space industry, and enabled us to envisage enriching collaborations for our future career path.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Foundation for its support, without which our participation in this international event would not have been possible. Your contribution has been essential to our professional development, and we hope to continue to make you proud through our future achievements.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Foundation’s donors. Your support has not only made it possible for us to take part in a major international event like the IAC, but has also opened doors that will have a decisive impact on our professional future. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to exchange ideas with key players in the space sector, present our research and consider new opportunities for collaboration. You are investing in the talents of tomorrow, and we are deeply grateful to be among those benefiting from your commitment. Thank you for believing in our potential and helping us achieve our goals.

What do you take away from your experience at IAC 2024?

My participation in IAC 2024 enabled me to meet a very large number of professionals and students from the space sector. This helped me build my professional network. I had the opportunity to meet engineers from several space agencies and international companies. I discovered companies that I hadn’t been aware of, and which are working on subjects that could be of interest to me.

In addition, I was able to attend numerous scientific conferences given by experts on each subject. The plenary lectures – which were less specialized – enabled me to acquire a better understanding of space, and to keep up to date with major space projects and news.

Any final words for those who make these opportunities possible?

A huge thank you for allowing me to take part in this conference and for supporting so many student projects at ISAE-SUPAERO. Many opportunities would not be possible without the Foundation.

I’d like to thank the Foundation’s donors for the invaluable support they give to students. During my studies, I benefited several times from the Foundation’s support for student projects. During our studies at ISAE-SUPAERO, we are fortunate to be able to participate in numerous technical projects and conferences in addition to the technical training provided by the school. These opportunities are made possible thanks to the support of the Foundation’s donors, and are an essential part of our training, as they enable us to discover the space sector in greater depth and allow ISAE-SUPAERO and its students to shine.