France and China cooperate on a major project – La Nouvelle Tribune

Cooperation between China and France in the field of space has taken a new dimension with the recent launch of a satellite designed to explore the secrets of the universe. This joint project is entitled ” sfum » (Multi-scale space-based astronomical variable object observer), the main goal is to detect and analyze gamma-ray bursts, which are cosmic phenomena of extraordinary power that can provide valuable clues about the history and evolution of the universe.

The launch took place on Saturday at 3:00 pm local time (07:00 GMT) from the Xichang Space Base located in Sichuan Province in China. The 930-kilogram satellite, equipped with four scientific instruments (two French and two Chinese), was placed into orbit using a rocket. The Long March 2-C. This mission represents a major cooperation between Asia and the West in space exploration, uniting the efforts and skills of engineers from both countries.

Gamma Bursts: Windows into the Cosmic Past

Gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions known in the universe, are generally caused by the explosion of massive stars or the merger of compact stars. These events release enormous energy, sometimes equivalent to the energy of several billion suns. Studying these explosions allows scientists to go back in time, as the emitted light takes billions of years to reach Earth, carrying with it information about the gases and galaxies it passes through.

Frédéric Denny, an astrophysicist at the Paris Institute of Astrophysics and an expert in gamma-ray bursts, emphasizes the importance of these observations for understanding the evolution of the universe. “Gamma-ray bursts are windows into the cosmic past. Their light, traveling through space, tells us the history of the universe. Each burst captured and studied provides important data, making it possible to test the laws of physics in extreme conditions that are impossible to replicate on Earth.”

A mission with multiple challenges

In addition to their contribution to cosmology, gamma-ray bursts have also been studied because of their extreme nature. Frédéric Denny adds: “These explosions help us understand the violent processes that signal the end of the lives of some stars.” For example, the oldest identified gamma-ray burst occurred only 630 million years after the Big Bang, providing insight into a very ancient period in the universe.

Therefore, the SFOM mission is a valuable tool for astrophysicists around the world. In addition to mapping and analyzing these cosmic events, the satellite will collect data that will help answer fundamental questions about the universe. The information collected will enrich our understanding of the physical laws that govern these phenomena and their influence on the structure and evolution of the universe.