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
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/09/2023-07-27-14_54_53-4.JPG--Photos.png)
Jean-Claude GAYSSOT
President of the Board,
Former Minister
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/01/image-25.png)
Claudie HAIGNERÉ
Patron
Former Minister, ESA Astronaut
Founder members
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2018/10/philippe-auge-bd-239x300.jpg)
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/logo_um_2022_rouge_RVB.png)
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
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2018/10/pierre-maurice-bd-1-239x300.jpg)
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2019/03/3Dplus-72DPI.jpg)
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
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/deRosnay.jpg)
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/03/2023-03-29-16_22_31-Window.png)
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](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/01/Frederique_Rebout.jpg)
![Logo Expleo](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/01/logo-expleo.png)
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](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/image-16.png)
Philippe ADELL
Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA
![Jean-Louis Fellous](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Jean-Louis_Fellous_3.jpg)
Jean-Louis FELLOUS
Former Directeur
COSPAR
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/09/2023-07-27-14_54_53-4.JPG--Photos.png)
Jean-Claude GAYSSOT
President of the board
Former minister
![Pascale Ultre-Guerard](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Pascale_Ultre-Guerard.jpg)
Pascale ULTRÉ-GUÉRARD
Deputy Director of Programs, Strategy Sector
CNES
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/2023-02-08-14_01_52-Modifier-la-page-La-Gouvernance-‹-Fondation-Van-Allen-—-WordPress-et-1-page-.png)
Josick PAOLI
Strategic Director
MED VALLÉE
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Francois_Rocaries.jpg)
François ROCARIES
Scientific Director
F’SATI
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Frédéric-TESTON.png)
Frédéric TESTON
Director of the ESA/ESTEC Systems Department
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Michel_Tognini.jpg)
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](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Jacques_Mercier-1.png)
Jacques MERCIER
Vice-President in charge of Research
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/lorenzo-nabilboureghda-1.png)
Nabil BOUREGHDA
Technician at the IUT of Nîmes
![Eric NATIVEL](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/image-42.png)
Eric NATIVEL
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Electronics and Systems (IES)
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/2023-02-14-16_08_59-Celine-Boussinesq-Ritterszki-_-LinkedIn-et-9-pages-de-plus-Travail-–-Microsoft.png)
Céline RITTERSZKI
Deputy Director of the Continuing Education service
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Lorenzo-julienaverseng-1.png)
Julien AVERSENG
Senior Lecturer, Mechanics and Civil Engineering (LMGC)
![Denis PUY](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/01/image-27.png)
Denis PUY
Professor, Particle Physics UM (LUPM)
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/g-despaux.jpg)
Gilles DESPAUX
Professor, Institute of Electronics and Systems (IES)
![Philippe COMBETTE](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/image-41.png)
Philippe COMBETTE
Vice-President, Valorisation and Research Partnerships
![Lionel TORRES](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Lionnel_Torres-1.png)
Lionel TORRES,
Professor, Director of Polytech
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/2023-02-08-14_04_51-Modifier-la-page-La-Gouvernance-‹-Fondation-Van-Allen-—-WordPress-et-2-pages.png)
Sébastien HESSE
Ground station engineer, CSUM
![Jean-Pierre HABAS](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Lorenzo-jeanpierrehabas-1.png)
Jean-Pierre HABAS
Professor, Charles Gerhardt Institute (ICG)
Campaign Committee Ambassadors
![Anne BONDIOU-CLERGERIE](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/image-44.png)
Anne BONDIOU-CLERGERIE
R&D, Space and Environment Affairs Director, GIFAS
![Jean-Paul HERTEMAN](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/image-46.png)
Jean-Paul HERTEMAN
Former CEO of Safran Group
![](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2023/02/2023-02-08-14_05_25-Modifier-la-page-La-Gouvernance-‹-Fondation-Van-Allen-—-WordPress-et-2-pages.png)
Christophe CARNIEL
CEO
VOGO
![Daniel Kunth](https://fondationvanallen.edu.umontpellier.fr/files/2022/02/Daniel_Kunth.jpg)
Daniel KUNTH
CNRS Research Director, Astrophysicist