Space, between dream and strategic challenge

All it takes is one night under the stars to plunge us back into the endless questions of childhood: are we alone in the Universe? Can we go back in time? Does space have a limit? And what lies beyond that limit? "Today, we know that the stars around us are spread out over a very large space, and that we are part of the suburbs of one galaxy among many others", explains Eve-Aline Dubois, a mathematician by training and researcher in the Department of Science, Philosophy and Society at UNamur. "But this is a recent realization, marking the beginnings of cosmology as a science, dating back more or less to the 1920s." Because it considers the Universe as a whole, cosmology actually operates a "huge zoom-out" from conventional astronomy. "On the scale of cosmology, a galaxy is a point", sums up the researcher.

An observation that led her to take an interest in the notion of infinity in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. "At the time, infinity was considered an attribute of God: so it was more of a theological question, before the debate shifted to more scientific and philosophical considerations. And it wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the notion of infinity was properly mathematized." An infinity that can be envisaged in both its temporal and spatial dimensions. "Can we go back to infinity in the past, and does the Universe have an infinite future? With the Big Bang, this theory falls apart, since there would be a beginning... But also: does the Universe have a boundary, or is it like the surface of a sphere which, if traversed, would give the impression of never reaching the end?"

If space is of interest to the philosophy of science, it is also at the heart of very real economic and geopolitical issues. Using applied mathematics, Jérôme Daquin, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at UNamur, is seeking to gain a better understanding of how satellites and space debris in the Earth's vicinity behave. "Ultimately, the aim is to be able to guide political or legislative decisions to preserve space, which is increasingly seen as a resource, on a par with other natural resources," he explains. Today, space has never been so densely populated with satellites, sometimes sent up in squadrons, notably for the needs of new technologies and high-speed Internet. But at the same time, the space environment is cluttered with several million objects that have become useless and out of control. "This space debris has various sources", Jérôme Daquin details.

Thanks to the theory of dynamic systems and the field known as "complexity", Jérôme Daquin is therefore trying to understand how space objects behave on large time scales, in order to propose perennial scenarios. "These scenarios make it possible, for example, to envisage placing a satellite in such and such an orbit that we know will not deform over time." Because today the issue of space debris has become central not only for certain private operators, but also for public authorities and in particular for the defense sector. "Space has always been a place of strategic influence", recalls Jérôme Daquin. "For the armed forces, having a good knowledge of it is always very interesting." Today, moreover, there is a synergy between academic and private players concerning the production of data relating to the space environment. "Fifteen years ago, this didn't exist, but today, more and more companies are producing their own cataloging."

If space is an essential resource for the new technologies sector, computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) in turn enable us to better understand the enigmas it still harbors. For example, the team led by Benoît Frenay, a professor at UNamur's Faculty of Computer Science, is collaborating on the VAMOS project, which is studying the atmosphere of Venus.

"This allows us to work not directly on a system of distant planets, for example, but on its "digital twin", which we will have built from data. While it's impossible to modify a star and its planets, it is possible in computer science! It's quite possible to modify a digital solar system and observe, for example, what would happen if one of the planets were a little bigger... Finally, we can help the missions themselves, by embedding AI techniques in the probe."

By helping to analyze the physical and mineralogical composition of rocks on the surface of Mars or Venus, geology is thus able to better understand the conditions necessary for the appearance of life and why, Max Collinet points out, this life has instead developed on Earth, "our favorite planet"

At the end of 2022, UNamur joined the European Alliance UNIVERSEH (European Space University for Earth and Humanity) focused on the theme of space, with the aim of addressing societal and environmental challenges relating to European space policy. This Alliance is part of the European Alliances initiative launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron. "A European Alliance is a network of universities that come together voluntarily with the aim of building an international campus and thus facilitating the development of integrated international pathways accessible to different learner profiles, explains Isabella Fontana, Director of International Relations at UNamur."This implies a great openness for students, who can choose innovative pathways recognized at European level, but also for teachers, who can collaborate in a context conducive to cross-border, transdisciplinary interactions and in dialogue with regional ecosystems."

Alliances can be either transversal or thematic, as is the case with the UNIVERSEH alliance. "The case of Belgium is rather particular since all the universities were already part of an alliance in 2022, with the exception of UNamur. There was therefore a particular strategic challenge for our university to join an alliance in its turn," continues Isabella Fontana. By joining the six other alliance partners - including the University of Toulouse, a European leader in the space field - UNamur can now lay claim to new opportunities in terms of international collaborations, teaching and research. "One of UNamur's strengths in relation to space is the scientific mediation and education component", details Isabella Fontana."Having said that, the aim of the Alliance is above all to be able to work in a network, to fuel the process of raising awareness of the importance of the network especially in the field of education and more generally in economic development. At UNamur, for example, we have devoted part of the budget to stays for members of the academic and scientific staff who wish to develop collaborations particularly at teaching level with partner universities, collaborations which, of course, have the potential to have spin-offs on research too."

"UNamur joined the Alliance relatively recently. Organizing and hosting the general meeting was a way of showing and demonstrating our investment in this project. It was also an opportunity to showcase Namur and its ecosystem", says Annick Castiaux, Rector of UNamur. The main aim of the general meeting was to bring together all the partners and people involved in the project to discuss progress and difficulties, but also to build solid, supportive teams and encourage team spirit. Work meetings, thematic workshops and collective exchange moments took place throughout the three days.

A complex field involving both the "hard" sciences and the humanities, particularly the philosophy of science, space is also very present in literature and film. This makes it a "perfect theme for popularization", according to Maxime Dussong, communications and events manager at Confluent des Savoirs, UNamur's research popularization service."In culture, space is everywhere. It's an interesting gateway, even if we also have to break down stereotypes. And remind people that space isn't just about astronauts...". This is notably the aim of the Printemps des Sciences, an initiative of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in which UNamur is actively involved. "Through this event, we are reminding people that the theme of space can be found in all STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions. On this occasion, we also organize visits to UNamur's Antoine Thomas Astronomical Observatory, which are always a huge success. They enable the public to discover the various instruments used there, but also, weather permitting, to observe the sky..."

A dedicated event, the Space week organized at UNamur (the last edition was held in October 2024) meanwhile enables schools and the general public to rub shoulders very directly with the thrill of space through meeting astronauts. "Again this year, we were lucky enough to have the participation of Dirk Frimout, who everyone knows, even children in fifth grade...", recounts Maxime Dussong. The event also features themed workshops, on constellations for example, an opportunity to "make the link between legends and science"and to"remind the youngest of the distinction between science and belief"illustrates Maxime Dussong.

Finally, UNamur is collaborating on various space-related art projects, such as "Stellar Scape", an exhibition at the Pavillon - located on the Esplanade de la Citadelle in Namur - which brings together works designed by artists and researchers until January 2025. "This is a fine example of collaboration, enabling people who are not very inclined towards scientific themes to become interested in them via art... and vice versa! ". We should also mention the existence at UNamur of Kap to UNIVERSEH, a kot-à-projet on the theme of space, which brings together students from all backgrounds: scientists, historians, philosophers... A transdisciplinary and cosmic experience!