Midi-Pyrenees strong points

• Leading region in Europe for space telecommunications with Alcatel Space and EADS Astrium
  
  
• World leader in space altimetry, remote sensing, data collection, localization and navigation
  
  
• European leader in:
  > design, development, integration, satellite station acquisition and keeping
  > telecommunications via satellite
  > Earth observation (oceanography, meteorology and climatology) 
  > embedded onboard electronic systems
• A diversified environment of small industrial firms . In the wake of CNES, regional companies (engineering companies, design offices, and companies which develop onboard systems and equipment) have joined in the space adventure and satellite navigation, such as Spot Image, CLS, SCOT, and GEOSYS
• Toulouse, a key production and development site for the Galileo program (European satellite navigation system) and its applications, applicant to receive the Galileo concessionaire.  
   
• The Pic du Midi Observatory     
  The Pic du Midi Observatory, inaugurated in 1882, is located at an altitude of 2,877 meters, making it the highest observatory in Europe .
  It is emblematic of French astronomy. The "Peak 2000" project has renovated the site, so that the public can visit it. The Pic du Midi Observatory welcomed 107,000 visitors in 2005 and expects 115,000 visitors in 2006. It's this cohabitation between scientists and tourists that has saved this site which activities were in danger in the 90's. An idea for the futur ?
   

Space Serving Mankind

From the Mastery of Technologies...

Midi-Pyrenees reached a high level of excellence in technologies applied to design and manufacture space systems. This know-how enabled the Region to reach a privileged position on various markets :

-     Satellite design and integration, subsystems and payloads
-     Design and integration of instruments (optics, radar)
-     Design, development and manufacture of onboard equipment and software
-     Assembly, integration, tests and space environment trials
-     Design and development of ground control systems (station acquisition and keeping)

These tranversal skills, typical of Midi-Pyrenees, enable the extension of technologic appliances to others sectors such as telecommunications, sciences, Earth observation...

To Applications.

• Telecommunications

Television via satellite, mobile telephony, high-speed Internet, secure communications, etc. Historically speaking, telecommunications were the first commercial application for space technology. From space, satellites can overcome the restrictions of geography, cross borders, erase distances, bring populations closer together, and reduce the digital devide. With the development of specific research programs conducted in partnership with laboratories, Midi-Pyrenees is contributing to the reinforcement of the world-class position of the French and international companies doing business here.

Main fields of application

-     New generation telecommunications
-     Reducing the digital divide
-     Communications for safety and civil defense

Major programs developed in Midi-Pyrenees : Arabsat 4, @Bus, Inmarsat 4, Syracuse ...  and Anik f3, Astra 1M, GALAXY 17Hot Bird 7A, 8 et 9, KOREASAT 5, Master, Manpack, Nimiq 4,RASCOMQAF-1, SatcomBW, Scot, Skynet 5, THAICOM 5, W2M3, CHINASAT 6B et 9, CIEL 2, TURKSAT 3A.

• Navigation and positionning
  

As home to the design and prime contracting aspects of EGNOS, and now the headquarters of the GALILEO concession, Toulouse reinforces its role in the implementation of navigation infrastructures, and situates Midi-Pyrenees in the top ranks in Europe for the development of multiple applications for transport and mobility, safety, agriculture and the environment.

Main fields of application

-     Transport
-     Tourism and mobility
-     Safety and civil defense
-     Agriculture and environment

Major programs developed in Midi-Pyrenees : EGNOS, GALILEO, Argos and Cospas-Sarsat

• Earth observation

Since the advent of the SPOT family of high-performance satellites in 1986, a major chapter in the history of European Earth observation has been written in Midi-Pyrenees. This satellite sector has in fact served as a model for nearly all of the other European low-orbit observation satellites currently in service (ERS, Envisat, MetOp and Helios) and those planned for the future, such as the Pleiades program.
In Midi-Pyrenees, this has been accompanied by the development of significant scientific and industrial potential in observation, oceanography, imagery, high-resolution optics, radar, and design of micro satellites, etc. which contribute to improved management of our environment and greater safety for people and goods on the planet. These competencies have attracted many clients world-wide, making this a strong export sector.

Main fields application

-    Meteorology and oceanic environment
-    Management of natural and industrial risks
-     Territorial management

Major programs developed in Midi-Pyrenees : JASON, METOP 1-3, PLEIADES, PROTEUS

• Sciences

The study and exploration of the universe, astronomy and basic physics, as well as planetary exploration are among the disciplines in which space technologies make considerable advances possible.
For astronomers, astrophysicists, planetologists, physicists, chimists and biologists, space systems are a tool of choice for exploration and knowledge acquisition. With CNES (Toulouse Space Center), in the context of national missions, European or international cooperative programs, and with the backing of Midi-Pyrenees scientific and industrial partners, our region contributes to progress and knowledge, while stimulating the engineers and technicians in space industries to take up new challenges.

Main fields application

-     The exploration of the universe
-     Astronomy
-     The life sciences
-     Fundamental physics

Major programs developed in Midi-Pyrenees : COROT, GAIA, Mars Express, Rosetta, Venus Express

 

A federation of public and private players to facilitate innovation

The Aerospace Valley global competitiveness cluster The ADER 2 Plan , providing a backbone project for the competitiveness cluster

Cristal , the futur reserch and innovation center for space services and applications National, regional and local players in the public sector stimulate actions with, for example, the European project ERA-STAR that seeks to organize Europe's research sector and promote development strategies.