Organization and governance

Organization and governance is provided by the members of the Van Allen Foundation’s Board: founder members, elected members and representatives of the University of Montpellier.

Our president and patron

Jean-Claude GAYSSOT
President of the Board,
Former Minister

Claudie HAIGNERÉ
Patron
Former Minister, ESA Astronaut

Founder members

6th largest university in France, by student numbers

“The Foundation plays a vital networking role for the University and major stakeholders in the industry, and in steering the No.1 French University Space Centre. Each participant can contribute to the projects.”

Philippe AUGÉ, Président

World leader in 3D electronic components for space

« Le dynamisme et la qualité de l’équipe nous incite à supporter la Fondation depuis maintenant de nombreuses années. Nous y trouvons un grand intérêt en embauchant des étudiants de l’Université de Montpellier bien formés aux contraintes du secteur spatial »

Pierre Maurice, PDG

World No.1 in Space

“Airbus Defence & Space is a founder member of the Van Allen Foundation. Our support is aimed at encouraging the training and development of future talent and skills in the space field. We want to support students on innovative nanosatellite-based projects, enabling tomorrow’s technology to be tested and demonstrated in orbit!”

Arnaud DE ROSNAY, Director of Space Systems Engineering
Frederique Rebout
Logo Expleo

The EXPLEO Group is noted for its technical know-how and proven expertise in complex and critical systems

“Through the Van Allen Foundation in Montpellier, Expleo is strongly committed to training young people in the space field. Our Expleo experts support nanosatellite activities through joint R&D projects, integrate students into the realities of the industry and share with other members the passion for technological innovation topics.”

Frédérique REBOUT, Alliances and Partners Director 

ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

The Van Allen Foundation’s Board includes leading international figures in the space field, who are together defining the strategy for nanosatellite development.

Philippe ADEL

Philippe ADELL
Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA

Jean-Louis Fellous

Jean-Louis FELLOUS
Former Directeur
COSPAR

Jean-Claude GAYSSOT
President of the board
Former minister

Pascale Ultre-Guerard

Pascale ULTRÉ-GUÉRARD
Deputy Director of Programs, Strategy Sector
CNES

Josick PAOLI
Strategic Director
MED VALLÉE

François ROCARIES
Scientific Director
F’SATI

Frédéric TESTON
Director of the ESA/ESTEC Systems Department

Michel TOGNINI
French astronaut, Former Director of ESA’s Astronaut Centre

Representatives of the University of Montpellier

The Van Allen Foundation also comprises various representatives of the University of Montpellier.

Jacques Mercier

Jacques MERCIER
Vice-President in charge of Research

Nabil BOUREGHDA
Technician at the IUT of Nîmes

Eric NATIVEL

Eric NATIVEL
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Electronics and Systems (IES)

Céline RITTERSZKI
Deputy Director of the Continuing Education service

Julien AVERSENG
Senior Lecturer, Mechanics and Civil Engineering (LMGC)

Denis PUY


Denis PUY
Professor, Particle Physics UM (LUPM)

Gilles DESPAUX
Professor, Institute of Electronics and Systems (IES)

Philippe COMBETTE

Philippe COMBETTE
Vice-President, Valorisation and Research Partnerships

Lionel TORRES

Lionel TORRES,
Professor, Director of Polytech

Sébastien HESSE
Ground station engineer, CSUM

Jean-Pierre HABAS

Jean-Pierre HABAS
Professor, Charles Gerhardt Institute (ICG)

Campaign Committee Ambassadors

Anne BONDIOU-CLERGERIE

Anne BONDIOU-CLERGERIE
R&D, Space and Environment Affairs Director, GIFAS

Jean-Paul HERTEMAN

Jean-Paul HERTEMAN
Former CEO of Safran Group

Christophe CARNIEL
CEO
VOGO

Daniel Kunth

Daniel KUNTH
CNRS Research Director, Astrophysicist