Change of direction at the head of the 3i3s-Europa association which promotes space applications. Marc Valès, senior vice-president of space programs at Dassault Aviation, is the new president of the structure and succeeds Philippe Pham (senior vice president telecommunications and navigation systems at Airbus Defense and Space), who held this position since 2020. François Henry (ex-Kinéis, Thales Alenia Space) takes over as vice-president.
Opening up to space users
Founded in 2005, the 3i3s-Europa association brings together 1,500 members from industry but also users of space data (researchers, astronauts, doctors, etc.) and wants to accelerate the development of applications serving the environment, health and education. “ In twenty years, the world of space has changed. Today any university, any school can send a satellite into orbit », points out François Henry.
“ Space is no longer simply a destination, it has become a means. Everyone remembers the Apple revolution. The user thinks he is only buying a phone and in reality he is given the possibility of access to a whole series of services. Developers can directly deliver these services via their applications. Elon Musk applied this revolution to the world of space. Our association aims to make the public aware of all the uses of space and to make space experts and its users think together », Supports Marc Valès.
In this logic of openness, the diver Géraldine Parodi, one of the rare women who became a diver, was chosen as godmother of 3i3s-Europa for the year 2024.
“ There are common issues between the marine world and space. For example, osteoporosis is a disease that develops much more quickly underwater and in space than on the Earth’s surface. Expeditions enable advances in medical treatments », Illustrates François Henry.
The NewSpace Conference presented abroad
The association plans to soon publish reports and organize conferences based on the reflections of its members. 3i3s was notably at the origin, in 2022, of the creation of the summer event “Les Assises du NewSpace”, which brings together 1,500 space professionals. Faced with the success of the event, the organizers are already thinking, in conjunction with the European Space Agency, about a variation of the concept abroad.
“ We were able to initiate an event which now stands on its own two feet and which allows professionals to meet in France. The idea is to try to reproduce equivalent schemes in Europe, starting with Great Britain, then in Eastern countries (Poland, Romania) where space agencies are less in the spotlight. », Indicates Marc Valès.
The British version could take place as early as the end of 2024. At the same time, the association intends to strengthen international collaboration between its members within European countries and historic partners such as Canada and India.
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