History

Since 1964, the Centre Spatial de Liège has been an applied research centre focused on the design of space observation instruments. In addition, the CSL has a state-of-the-art environmental test centre serving the European Space Agency (ESA), the space industry and regional companies.

Space activities began at the Institute of Astrophysics of the University of Liège almost sixty years ago. First of all, they were experiments on board rockets, as satellites are not yet available in Western Europe. These experiments first simulated an artificial comet and then observed the polar auroras many times. Finally, satellites were available and we immediately participated in the construction of various instruments for observing the stars, but also in the testing of space instruments under inhospitable space conditions, very low pressures and very low temperatures. These space activities were carried out within the framework of COPERS (Commission Provisoire d'Etudes et de Recherches Spatiales) and then ESRO (European Space Reseach Organisation), which preceded the creation of ESA, the European Space Agency, in Europe.

Over the years, the CSL has gained the trust of ESA. Numerous missions to observe the cosmos, the earth and its atmosphere, meteorology, developed largely by ESA and to a lesser extent by NASA, will follow one another at the CSL. We have developed software for satellites equipped with radar, built part of an instrument or been the prime contractor in the construction of an instrument and, in many cases, carried out the very delicate and sometimes very long tests, under space conditions, of many instruments and even entire satellites. These multiple projects are detailed in the "Flagship projects of the CSL" section.

These activities have required the development of numerous technological researches in extremely varied fields such as optics, electronics, lasers and non-destructive testing of various materials, thermics, surface analysis and structure, etc., research that also has significant industrial benefits.

Initially, it was a group of a few people, under the direction of Professor André Monfils, who initiated these space activities. After a few years, this group was called IAL-Space, before receiving its current name in 1992. Upon Professor Monfils' retirement, it was his close collaborator, Professor Claude Jamar, who succeeded him in 1992 and headed the CSL for fifteen years. The small group of a few people from nearly 60 years ago has grown and now has about 100 engineers, physicists and technicians working there.

CSL - 50 ans

Les 50 ans du Centre Spatial de Liège en image