Laboratoire ATMosphères et Observations Spatiales
University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) is a leading multidisciplinary higher education and research institution. The quality of UVSQ’s undergraduate and graduate programs is backed by the compelling research programs conducted in UVSQ research centers and laboratories. UVSQ is a medium size university (20 000 students) located in the Southwestern suburb of Paris. LATMOS (Laboratoire ATMosphères et Observations Spatiales) is a French academic laboratory (part UVSQ and associated to the French CNRS) specialized in the study of the Earth’s and other planets’ environments (atmosphere, surface/subsurface and ocean). With about 200 scientists and engineers, LATMOS has developed a strong expertise in both instrumentation and numerical modelling.
The planetology department of LATMOS is mainly focused on the study of physical and chemical properties of surfaces and atmospheres of objects in the solar system, and on the relationship between these environments and the origin of life. This research strongly relies on the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of data acquired by a series of innovative instruments designed and entirely or partially developed by LATMOS.
Heavy numerical modelling activities and experimental lab simulations (organic chemistry high atmospheres) perfectly complement the instrumental activities and contribute to the in-depth and quantitative interpretation of observational data.
Within the planetology department, some research projects are specifically aiming at the study of the surface and subsurface of planetary bodies (planets, moons, comets or other small bodies), which have been shaped and modified in their composition by a series of processes, either endogenous (e.g. volcanism, tectonics, magnetic field) or exogenous (hydrological, ice, wind, impact, radiation, etc.). As such, the surfaces and shallow subsurfaces can provide essential information about geological history of the studied areas. The approach LATMOS is pursuing in the field is highly transdisciplinary combining data processing and interpretation, modeling and laboratory measurements. LATMOS is also involved in the development of the High-Frequency Radar (HFR) for the mission AIM (Asteroid Impact mission, ESA mission Planetary Protection) and in the design of a permittivity sensor aboard a drone to further explore Titan as part of a New Frontier Mission ( DragonFly Mission).
LATMOS conributed a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to CoRob-X which was a copy of a GPR sensor developed for ESA’s Exomars mission. With this tool, the CoRob-X exploration rovers was able to map the extension and to obtain information on the stability of the lava tube.
Role in the Project:
- LATMOS was responsible for the scientific use-case of the lunar analogue.
- LATMOS provided the GPR WISDOM for accommodation on the rovers of the CoRob-X project.
- LATMOS worked on the best scenario in synergy with the cameras and other sensors of the project to build an as complete as possible representation of the 3D environment (including surface and subsurface features).