Skip to content

LFiA alumnus prepares for life in space

LFiA alumnus prepares for life in space

By Muna (1ère) and Eloïse (Tle)

As part of their orientation, first and second-year baccalaureate students in physics and chemistry had the pleasure of talking via video conference to a familiar face: Quentin Gouault.
Quentin is a former student of Lycée Français international d’Amman and we are proud of him! He is currently in his third year at IPSA (www.ipsa.fr), a university that offers 5-year specialist courses in aeronautical and space systems engineering.
Quentin was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the EuroMoonMarsPoland mission. The aim of this mission: to carry out tests in the hope of one day colonising the Moon and Mars. It is divided into two parts:
In week one, Quentin was at the base and his role was to create schedules for the astronauts.
In week two, he was in an environment simulating life on the Moon. That was when we were able to talk to him. After giving us a tour of the environment, he explained to us that the ‘astronauts’ undergo physical tests (e.g. running, taking samples) and psychological tests (e.g. effect of the lack of natural light on the day-night cycle). They also do experiments. In this week Quentin’s role was to create a miniature rocket that would be capable of sending samples to the base from the Moon or Mars. The aim was to make do with what could be found on site and to print parts using a 3D printer.
Of course, during these two weeks, there were many other specific missions that may one day enable us to build the first home on the Moon.

Quentin Gouault (right) and Théo Podolsky