Driving innovation for jobs and competitiveness
For Jean-Yves Le Gall, “CNES is today an undisputed standard-setter and a key driver of Europe’s space strategy. With its 2,450 dedicated and enthusiastic employees, it is spurring innovation for jobs and competitiveness. And with its federating Ambition 2020 programme, it has the capabilities to ensure that France remains a leader in European and global space endeavours.”
CNES faces many other challenges in the year ahead.
Flagship projects include: in defence, Athena-Fidus, set to launch in January; in telecommunications, the electric-propulsion satellite, one of 34 projects selected under France’s NFI new industrial policy; in Earth observation, IASI-NG, a shining example of successful cooperation between CNES, ESA and Eumetsat; in sciences, Rosetta, scheduled to reach comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko after a 10-year journey in November and put the Philae lander on its surface; and for Ariane, the future Ariane 6.
CNES in 2014 ? Hangout with CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall