Space : our articles about Space - Polytechnique Insights

Dark side of the Moon: the first samples arrive on Earth

Pierre-Yves Meslin, Scientific Manager of DORN Mission at Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie

On February 19th, 2025

The Chinese probe Chang'E 6, launched on 3rd May 3 2024, brought back to Earth the first samples from the far side of the Moon.

π Space π Geopolitics

The proliferation of space debris in the Earth's orbit

Christophe Bonnal, Space debris expert at the CNES launchers department

On February 12th, 2025

4 min reading time

π Space π Science and technology

The largest digital camera ever built will shed new light on the universe

Johan Bregeon, Research Fellow in Observational Cosmology at Grenoble Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology

On April 23rd, 2024

4 min reading time

π Space π Science and technology π Energy

The challenges of extraterrestrial mining

Episode 1 / 3

Mining in space: can we do it?

Pierre Henriquet, Doctor in Nuclear Physics and Columnist at Polytechnique Insights

Episode 2 / 3

Mining resources on the moon for space missions

Gerald Sanders, In-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) system capability manager at NASA

Episode 3 / 3

Helium-3 from the lunar surface for nuclear fusion?

Florian Vidal, researcher at the French Institute of International Relations

π Space π Geopolitics

Ariane 6: a strategic success for Europe, but challenges to come

Lionel Suchet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CNES

On April 23rd, 2025

4 min reading time

The successful launch of Ariane 6 in March 2025 marks the return of progress towards greater sovereignty for Europe.

π Space π Industry π Geopolitics

Can European space industry compete with American domination?

Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of Strategy at CNES

On April 9th, 2025

4 min reading time

π Geopolitics π Space π Industry

The impact of the war in Ukraine on wheat production

Ahmad Al Bitar, CNRS Research Engineer at Centre d'Études Spatiales de la Biosphère, Veronika Antonenko, Research Engineer at Centre d'Études Spatiales de la Biosphère

On March 26th, 2025

3 min reading time

In 2022, wheat yields fell by 20% in the Kherson region (which was invaded by the Russian army) compared to previous years, while they remained stable in Poltava.

π Planet π Space π Industry

Satellite images reveal the extent of methane leaks across the world

Marielle Saunois, Lecturer and Researcher at Université Versailles Saint Quentin and Member of Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory

On March 19th, 2025

4 min reading time

Satellite data now makes it possible to measure methane leaks independently, without relying on industry estimates.

π Industry π Space

IRIS2: everything you need to know about this new European constellation

Jean-Pierre Diris , Interministerial Coordinator for France on IRIS² and GOVSATCOM

On March 11th, 2025

5 min reading time

Europe will be deploying the IRIS2 constellation of telecoms satellites in 2030 to avoid relying on non-European players for its strategic or governmental needs.