Dr. Erick Lansard, an Icon of Change from France

Icons of Change

Icons of Change International Awards 2025  Dr. Erick Lansard Full Professor, Nanyang Technological University – Singapore Former VP Innovation & R&T, Thales Defense Mission Systems – Élancourt, Île-de-France, France  Alcatel-Lucent/Nokia Bell Labs Fellow  AIAA Fellow  Life Member of the International Academy of Astronautics   Life Member of the Air & Space Academy  Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Changemaker for Space Innovation, Research, and Global Collaboration (France)  ---  Few careers in aerospace embody the synthesis of scientific rigor, corporate leadership, and academic mentorship as profoundly as that of Dr. Erick Lansard. Over nearly four decades, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of human ingenuity—pioneering new approaches to space system design, leading some of the most influential R\&D institutions in Europe, and nurturing innovation ecosystems across continents. His trajectory illustrates how vision, when paired with relentless pursuit of excellence, can shape industries, inspire nations, and expand the very horizons of human exploration.  Dr. Lansard began his journey with the discipline of a scholar. Armed with an Engineering degree in Aeronautical & Space, a Master of Science in Fluid Mechanics, and a PhD in Space Geodesy, he entered the aerospace field during a period of rapid technological acceleration. His early work with Alcatel Espace in 1987 positioned him at the cutting edge of mission analysis, where he spearheaded advanced studies in radar observation, signal intelligence, telecommunications, and GNSS navigation systems. Even then, his projects reflected not just technical ambition, but also a clear vision: to make space systems not merely instruments of observation, but enablers of progress for science, defense, and society.  As his career advanced, so did his influence. Rising to become Director of System Engineering and later Director of Architecture, Observation & Sciences Space Systems, he oversaw a portfolio that spanned optical, infrared, hyperspectral, and radar technologies. His leadership bridged the scientific precision of space research with the demands of global industry—ensuring that systems designed in Europe would set standards worldwide. In subsequent roles as Director of Research for Alcatel Space, Alcatel Alenia Space, and later Thales Alenia Space, he orchestrated large-scale research and technology programs across France and Italy, coordinating teams across Toulouse, Cannes, Roma, and Torino.  But Dr. Lansard’s impact has never been confined to Europe. With his appointment as VP Technical & Space Development at Thales Solutions Asia in Singapore, he became a global bridge-builder—advancing innovation across Asia and creating opportunities for collaboration between industry, government, and academia.

Transcript

00:00I am Eric Lansard, an aeronautics and space engineer by training and a professional expert

00:06in research technology and innovation in private sector like Alcatel Group and Thales Group.

00:14Recently, I have joined Nguyen Technological University Singapore as a full professor.

00:19I am honored to receive today the Icon of Change Award 2025 that I would like to share

00:26with all my amazing teammates all along my professional career.

00:32Amazingly, it's only recently that I have realized that my main results could be federated

00:39under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.

00:43For example, in the field of satellite constellation design, I have pioneered new optimization schemes

00:53for telecommunication, navigation, observation, application, that allow to design exactly

01:03what is only necessary, strictly needed to fulfill the needs, and no more.

01:10In fact, we do not need so many satellites, we do not need so many launchers and so many

01:18large, costly satellites.

01:22They harm the planet with a risk of collision in orbit and also when they are re-entering

01:28at the end of their life.

01:30And this is my current research.

01:33With my team, we demonstrate that climate change can be far better monitored over the tropics,

01:42with a constellation of small or very small satellites named CubeSat or Microsat.

01:49We do not need big, huge satellites.

01:52The Equatorial Tropical Sentinels for Environment is this flagship project,

01:59and this is a unique opportunity of collaboration between southern countries all around the equator,

02:06but also between these equatorial and tropical countries with the rest of the world.

02:12I hope my research can bring more good to our planet.

02:17Thank you again for this recognition.

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