Étienne Samain, engineer, project manager in design and development in experimentation and research engineer at CNRS, has received the CNRS Crystal Medal.
This award recognizes those who, through their technical expertise and innovative spirit, contribute alongside researchers to the advancement of knowledge and the excellence of French research.
Étienne Samain is a key player in space geodesy and instrumentation in the field of optical links. In partnership with research organizations (Cnes, Onera…) and industry players (Airbus-DS, Thales Alenia Space), he has developed innovative projects related to space missions and ground-based observation equipment.
Thanks to his skills in cutting-edge technologies in metrology by laser link, he leads a research and development instrumental team at the UMR Géoazur and the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur (OCA). He was the principal investigator and designer of the T2L2 (Time Transfer by Laser Link) space project intended for the Jason-2 observation satellite.
His expertise has made the T2L2 project a reference technique for clock synchronization. Furthermore, Étienne Samain is responsible for the MéO laser telemetry station, one of the most important instruments in the world for satellite and lunar distance measurements.
The research engineer is also behind original contracts between the OCA, the CNRS, and the aerospace industry. These successful collaborations have notably led to the development of the world’s best timing systems, optical telecommunications projects, and projects related to space surveillance.
