French Astronaut
On July 21, I was with my parents and we watched the Moon landing in front of the black and white television with emotion, respect, and a sense of incredible accomplishment.
My passion came from my parents, who worked for Air France. So I was immersed in the aeronautical world from an early age. I went on to become a fighter pilot at the Ecole de l’Air. First, I became a fighter pilot, then a test pilot, with my initial ambition to fly the European space shuttle Hermes.
It gave us the knowledge that humans could undertake interplanetary travel. It also enabled us to develop advanced technologies that were the precursors of the computers we all use today. We also made advances in the thermal protection of ships and in atmospheric re-entry trajectories.
Yes, it would have been a great joy for me, and I think that’s the feeling of all astronauts.
The highlights of my career were working as a fighter pilot (where the missions were really interesting), then as a test pilot (I enjoyed working on a multitude of different aircraft). Then astronaut, which is really the mission furthest from Earth and in zero gravity. During my 2 space flights, I was amazed by the view of the Earth and the stars. But also impressed by the level of technical skill of humans capable of flying spaceships at impressive speeds.
Today, I work mainly on management-related conferences with APM (Association Progrès du Management) and HEC.
I also work with companies such as Aldoria on space debris detection, and Van Allen on nano-satellite manufacturing.
I’m involved with the Euroairship One project, a solar airship powered solely by solar panels.
I’m on the board of the Aéroclub de France.
I’m the sponsor of LOTA (amateur radio for schoolchildren).
I participate in France Mentorat.
The return to the Moon is scheduled for 2030. This time, it won’t be a question of short missions, but of going to a space station in lunar orbit to land on the desired spot on the Moon. Missions will last around 45 days, with landing missions lasting between 7 and 15 days.
The station under study is called “Gateway”.
1st mission around 2030.
This watch is legendary for astronauts and cosmonauts.
There were the lunar missions in the 70’s and NASA tested several watches to go to the Moon, but it was the Speedmaster that was chosen for its precision and resistance.
This was followed in 1975 by the Apollo Soyuz mission, the first and only mission between an Apollo and a Soyuz spacecraft.
On this mission, an American astronaut (Tom Stafford) and a Russian cosmonaut (Alexis Leonov) became friends.
Stafford was Omega’s representative in the USA, and suggested that Leonov do the same in the USSR.
So every cosmonaut went into space with an Omega Speedmaster.
When I went on my 1st mission, the head of the Energya company gave me a Speedmaster, which I carried with me throughout the mission.
I found this watch very precise and easy to read.
The inaugural flight of the new Ariane 6 rocket took place on Tuesday July 9, 2024, from the Kourou Space Center.
This launch enables Europe to regain its independence in space.
Ariane 6 is a highly modern rocket, featuring a reignitable orbital engine that enables satellites to be launched at different heights.
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