NAASC, the Space Center continues its ascent

The NAASC (New Aquitaine Academy Space Center) is a University Space Center and an association of higher education institutions. Located in New Aquitaine, it includes five major schools: Arts and Crafts Campus de Bordeaux-Talence, ENSEIRB-MATMECA, ESTIA de Bidard, ISAE ENSMA de Poitiers Futuroscope and Sciences Po Bordeaux. It aims to develop ambitious collaborative projects around space issues. Space is at the heart of the country’s objectives, and the New Aquitaine region is particularly focused on the development of space and aeronautical innovations.

NaASC, between ambitions and the development of collaborative projects

The NAASC is part of a strong development dynamic focused on the development of aerospace in New Aquitaine. Thus, it has the support of the Region, which gives it financial support to carry out its projects. Indeed, the region is giving NAASC assistance of 316,000 euros over 3 years, in order to promote regional space expertise. This is consistent with the other projects supported by the Centre, which intends to develop one of these main projects, the Space Hub. This project ambition, which will be based in Saint-Médard en Jalles, aims to accelerate the projects of SMEs and start-ups of the “New Space”. The latter includes all commercial space activities. Thanks to this, the region wants to capitalize on its reservoir of innovations to conquer the markets that New Space offers.

Thus, the NAASC intervenes in the civil and military fields of space control, as well as on launchers and space transport. In this way, it brings these previous points into line with the industrial, scientific and technical positioning of the region. In this way, it develops two important projects with students from partner schools. The first is a twin-liquid experimental rocket, which is expected to carry out its first demonstration flight by 2023. The second is a CubeSat nano-satellite, which is expected to go into orbit in 2024. These are ambitious projects, modelled on the projects developed by California universities. By succeeding in making them a reality, the NAASC will then demonstrate the innovative potential of the space hub in New Aquitaine. A pole that already enjoys a significant reputation, at the national level, for its aerospace dynamism.

Earth satellite view
NaASC aims to send a nano-satellite into orbit around the Earth.

Bordeaux, a city of innovation and aerospace

New Aquitaine is a region driven by innovation in many industries, including aerospace. The conquest of space and the development of ambitious innovations make it possible to place the region among the most dynamic in the country. That’s why in 2020, Bordeaux will become “City Ariane”. The ariane Cities concept strengthens cooperation between all the players in the Ariane programme. To date, 30 cities in 6 European countries have benefited from this title. It also honours groups focused on the development of space, including some actors in the territory of New Aquitaine. Among them are the Aerospace Valley, Dassault Aviation, Ariane Group, Thalès Alenia Space (Toulouse) and Airbus Defense and Space. These are companies that are particularly active in the development of aerospace on an international scale.

For companies, or groups like the NAASC, space plays an important role in the New Aquitaine landscape. Indeed, being a land of innovation, the Region is committed to driving ambitious projects that shape the functioning of this sector of the future. Financial support, collaborative projects or partnerships allow us to develop the place of space from the moment of learning, to stimulate vocations. The talents of tomorrow are encouraging to develop innovative projects. Despite the particular context associated with COVID-19, projects are slowing down. Another sector closely linked to space, aeronautics is experiencing difficulties in the development of its economy. Order books are staggered, and commercial flights, stopped during confinement, are still timidly resuming. At a time when international space institutions are talking about going to Mars, there is a good chance that aerospace will regain its dynamism…

Sources:

Pax Aquitania – September 9, 2020

“The New Aquitaine Region launches its “Space Hub” project

Press release – NAASC

NAASC website

Futura Sciences – Definition of New Space

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