Irispace, Brittany's own space cluster

"Irispace is first and foremost a regional institute," explains Nicolas Bellec, coordinator of the new cluster. "Brittany is a region linked to the space industry, with a favorable ecosystem and many recognized players capable of meeting a wide range of needs".

Nicolas Bellec, coordinateur of Irispace, Catherine Hellio, vice-president of IMT Atlantique et Christophe Lerouge, president of IMT Atlantique

The official launch of Irispace

New stakeholders, new uses

The sector is booming all around the world. Innovative newcomers are overturning the apple cart, so to speak; the use of new disciplines, such as digital or photonics, is opening up unprecedented prospects; and new uses for space are emerging, in surveillance, oceanography, defense, meteorology, etc. An EU study predicts that in a few years' time, 15% of GDP will depend on satellite infrastructures.

The aim is to capitalize on the region's strengths, raise the profile of its ecosystem and develop space technologies and their uses. To achieve this, Irispace plans to focus on four key areas: research, training, innovation and applications. These are all areas in which IMT Atlantique will have a role to play.

In terms of research, the institution is present in a significant portion of the space sector value chain: data, telecoms, on-board systems, optical communications, etc.
In terms of training, a year ago IMT Atlantique created an optional "space track" in the 2nd year of the engineering curriculum. Delivered with the help of external contributors (CNES, CEA, etc.), it comprises four courses spread over 2 months. The program includes:

• Introduction to space (history, law, environment, constraints, etc.);
• the uses of satellites (observation, geolocation, positioning) and telecoms applications (Internet of Things, TV, etc.)
• the different building blocks that make up a satellite (systems, electronic architecture, power supply, etc.);
• the ground segment: all the equipment needed to communicate with the satellite. This is an opportunity to build antennas, pick up signals from space, etc.

The end result is the modeling of a "CubeSat" (or cubic nanosatellite), with a defined mission.
A University Space Centre will also be built on the IMT Atlantique campus in Brest, with the support of the CNES (Centre national d'études spatiales, the French National Centre for Space Studies) and the Region. Equipped with dedicated facilities (including a ground segment), it will enable students to build small satellites with payloads and launch them with the help of industrial partners. "By 2028, we hope to have launched our satellite," says Nicolas Bellec.

An asset for local economic development

Finally, Irispace aims to help players level up, in particular by focusing on innovation and the development of uses for space. In this area, several avenues have been identified. Among these, the ocean appears to be a major theme. "Brittany is already Europe's leading region for maritime space applications," explains Nicolas Bellec.

Nicolas Bellec, coordinator of Irispace

Ifremer is participating in the SWOT satellite programme. Sealink, for its part, is deploying satellite-connected buoys for observing the marine environment. And the possible applications of space in the marine environment are becoming ever more numerous: controlling and regulating maritime traffic, monitoring fishing, surveillance of pollution or illegal activities, etc.

Several of these topics are of interest to IMT Atlantique's Oceanix "Chaire" (French research consortium), which uses Big Data and AI to improve our knowledge of the ocean. In particular, the team is working on the development of a 'digital twin' of the ocean, which would pave the way for new uses.

Another major area of application is telecoms. Whether for broadband, the Internet of Things or even television, satellites are proving to be invaluable tools. In particular, they can help to cover the notorious "white areas", as a complement to fibre optics. Irispace also plans to put space technologies to work in cybersecurity, meteorology, agriculture, sustainable mobility and other areas.

In short, space is increasingly emerging as a major vector for economic development in a wide range of fields. And Brittany has every intention of playing a leading role in this rapidly expanding "space economy". "The space industry is currently experiencing an unprecedented boom," sums up Nicolas Bellec. Irispace should enable us to promote the region's players, set up new projects and make the most of our assets.