Passionate about the universe and space, Laurène Delsupexhe will soon carry out a mission to simulate Martian life. With its 100% female crew, its objective is twofold: to promote the place of women in the aerospace industry and perhaps, ultimately, to become an astronaut.
Can you go back over your journey?
I passed my bac S in Thailand, then I went to EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne). I started a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering there. It was an unpleasant surprise, because the school was very theoretical. I need practicality, that’s why I joined the ESILV in 3e year of numerical mechanics and modeling.
In 4e year, I did an exchange at Politenico di Milano where I did an M1 in aeronautics. It was very intense, but very interesting. I returned in 5e year at ESILV and I worked on the CNES PERSEUS project. We carried out a study on the vibration reduction of an experimental launcher. It was my first concrete experience with space.
Was it at the end of this semester that you completed your internship at ESA?
I completed my end-of-study internship at the European Space Agency. I worked within the VEGA program, the first European light launcher. It was a real crush on space, a very stimulating environment. I met brilliant people.
One of the VEGA engineers recommended to me an MS on space transportation systems that one of his former students had created at La Sapienza (university in Rome). I started this program a year ago, then I started an internship at Arianespace where I also worked on the engine of the last stage of the VEGA rocket. It is a very special engine which only triggers in microgravity, above 100km. Today, I am a consulting engineer at ArianeGroup, where I work in the department developing satellite reflectors.
What is WoMars?
WoMars is a crew that I initiated when I was an intern at ESA. I was participating in a competition on LinkedIn to follow astronaut training and I posted a video which was very successful, as was that of another Spanish girl: Marta Ferran Marques who is a doctoral student at Cranfield University.
At that time, I discovered that MDRS (Mars Desert Research Station) was opening its station for an entire crew. So I contacted Marta and told her of my desire to set up a 100% female crew. She was very keen and we each brought together two friends. Today, our crew is made up of Cristina Reyel (engineer at Caeli Nova, MSc in Aerospace from Cranfield University), Julie Hartz (Ph.D. in Astrobiology at the University of Bologna), Alice Barthe (ISAE-Supaero Alumni , now working at ESA) and Paula Peixoto (Ph.D. in Neuroscience Systems).
The construction of the crew has evolved to transform into a real association and we plan to go on similar missions every year, first in October 2021 with the MDRS. We then hope to leave in 2022 with HI-SEAS, to Hawaii.
How will the experiment take place in the MDRS Martian base?
Our stay was postponed from October 10 to 23. Concretely, we will be isolated, but a mission control will be in contact with us every day. Our academic experiences will punctuate our schedules, once in the station. We also work closely with company laboratories who ask us to test innovative technologies. Marta set up a collaboration with Dronomy, to test drone navigation algorithms when they do not have GPS.
We are also followed by the University of Iowa which is organizing a psychological study to observe group cohesion and conflict management. This study is carried out on all MDRS missions and they found that, in mixed crews, men tend to take control. This is the first time they have had an all-female team so it will be interesting to observe our interactions.
Is the next step space?
I see WoMars as an opportunity to train. I hope to develop my abilities and improve my chances of being selected as a European astronaut. If the ESA has launched its recruitment campaign, I am preparing for the next wave which will take place in 10 years.
Why are women less represented in this sector?
500 people went into space and among them, only 10% were women. However, ESA and NASA are trying to improve things. The Artemis class, which will soon go to the moon, has 5 women and 5 men.
Our goal is to show that women have their place as much as men in this universe. They have always played a role in space exploration. WoMars is just picking up the torch and continuing the work carried out by our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
What’s next for you?
I will continue to train, get my pilot’s license and the PADI (diving certificate). I would indeed like to pilot the spacewalks. The profession of AIT engineer also interests me. They are in the clean rooms and are assembling the satellites and launchers.
Concerning WoMars, we are a young association and we have many projects. We intend to give the opportunity to a scholarship student, in high school or in the first year of university studies, to follow us on a space exploration mission. Once again, the idea is to pass the torch and show that women are still present on this subject.
