Projects of the Planéto team

The team structure its research around five themes:

Solid primary and comet

This research is particularly important for the team. As part of the Rosetta mission, which will probe the comet Churyumov Gerasimenko in 2014, our team is responsible for the experience Consert (radar tomography), and involved in the instrument Virtis (spectroscopy). Both instruments should provide a detailed description of the processes creating the cometary core, and its past and present. Several research projects are currently preparing for this activity.

Study of Mars, as active and evolving planet

Mars is and will long be the subject of a particularly intense and detailed exploration. Data collected and information on the properties of the surface of Mars and its evolution are of unparalleled quality, and allow monitoring seasonal processes on several Martian years. Projects related to this theme are intended interpretation of the compositions of surface (ice or minerals), the structure of the underground, the processes at work in the ionosphere and the laboratory simulation of these environments.

Physics of remote sensing of surface and subsurface

The precise analysis of planetary data requires research on the physics of remote sensing, electromagnetic wave propagation and radiative fluxes in natural environments in the measurement process by the onboard instruments. the objective is to develop models of planetary materials and structures, perform 3D simulations of reflection and transmission and develop numerical methods of physical analysis.

Changing upper atmosphere (exo) planets, and their evolution as (s) sun (s)

Based on a legacy of modeling with the families of code "Trans *", the modeling tools used to address specific issues such as:

• the polarization of the emission of the upper atmosphere,
• modeling the coupling of the various atmospheric layers,
• understanding the impact of solar activity

Molecular evolution / chemistry

Emerging theme of space exploration, chemistry at work or have worked in the creation of the stars is revealed as a result of refinement of measurement methods, land or space. The two objectives of this theme are

• Description of the chemical processes undergone by the primitive objects currently available
• description of the molecular growth process is currently at work in the chemical reactor that is the atmosphere of Titan.