Swiss space technology given new launch pad

Switzerland’s only astronaut, Claude Nicollier, is to promote the the country’s first chair of space technology swissinfo.ch

Exploration of the final frontier has been given a boost by two Swiss universities, who are setting up the country's first chair of space technology.

Switzerland’s only astronaut, Claude Nicollier, will promote the initiative at home and abroad.

Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the University of Neuchâtel’s Institute of Microtechnology (IMT) are the two partners of the project. The chair’s activities will focus on microsystems and nanotechnology.

This collaboration will also be an opportunity to heighten Switzerland’s profile in space. Despite funding the European Space Agency (ESA) to the tune of SFr100 million ($67 million), research carried out in Switzerland has largely remained under wraps.

The professorship is aimed at increasing Switzerland’s presence in international programmes, and to improve the visibility of Swiss research.

“Satellites are reaching their maximum size,” said Michel Declercq, dean of the engineering sciences and techniques faculty at the EPFL. “Microtechnology and nanotechnology give us the means to develop complex devices that are autonomous and very small.”

Small platforms

Traditional satellites weigh thousands of kilogrammes, while so-called picosatellites tip the scales at less than one kilogramme.

“Ultimately, the goal is to develop small platforms of this type and have them communicate with each other,” added Declercq.

Claude Nicollier, who is expected to end his work with ESA at the end of 2004, will play a vital role in setting up the new chair.

“He is an exceptional person who will help us decide what focus the research should have,” said Stefan Catsicas, the EPFL’s vice-president of research.

Nicollier, who already holds a professorship at the EPFL, is also expected to promote the chair in Switzerland and abroad.

The two universities are hoping that with his support, they will be able to participate in future manned spaceflight projects.

New professorship

The new professorship will be a tenure track position. The two universities are looking for a young scientist to fill it, and have called for international applications.

The project remains, however, very much dependent on funding. Money could come from the microtechnology agreement between the EPFL and the IMT, but it is subject to renegotiation next year.

The federal government is keen to encourage Swiss involvement in space research, and has said it may stump up some cash to support the new chair.

Charles Kleiber, secretary of state for science said the government might offer “financial assistance to support this project, if the need is felt some over the period 2004-2007”.

The federal institute currently pays Neuchâtel SFr800,000 for four professors (and their assistants), who spend 25 per cent of their time teaching in Lausanne.

The project’s promoters are also hoping that companies will help to finance the chair.

“It won’t be as easy to convince them to hand over money,” admits Declercq. “But even if space technology doesn’t earn them direct income, the spin-offs can be very interesting.”

Space research is renowned for furthering technological advances, such as the development of the integrated circuit.

Future prototypes and progress in micro- and nanotechnology could serve as stepping-stones for progress in domains such as micro-fluids, chemistry or biotechnology according to Declercq.

swissinfo

Key facts

New chair to focus on micro- and nanotechnology for use in space.
Two universities are collaborating on the project.
Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier to promote the new chair.