Report on a stay in Milan rich in encounters, learning and discoveries

Dear 3AF members,

My name is Marie LAMBERT and I'm about to graduate from ISAE-SUPAERO's Aerospace Project Management (APM) Specialized Master's program. As part of my studies, I was lucky enough to join the Rockets & Balloons department of the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). I did my professional thesis at the Esrange launch base in Swedish Lapland. I studied knowledge management within the company and the need to transfer information from one generation to the next. Fascinated by the subject, I decided to delve a little deeper into my research. As I was also involved with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), an association of young space enthusiasts from around the world, I saw an opportunity to extend my study by comparing the strategies of these two space organizations, the SSC and the SGAC.

I had the great honor of being selected by 3AF to represent France (and my school!) at the student competition held at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan. I presented a paper entitled "Knowledge Management Strategies for an Evolving Space Sector: A Comparative Case Study of the Swedish Space Corporation's (SSC) and the Space Generation Advisory Council's (SGAC) Methods". The thrust of this comparative study was to identify the methods used by the companies to guarantee knowledge transfer within their teams, in a rapidly evolving space sector.

The IAC is THE conference for all space enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity each year to be at the heart of the latest technological advances and discoveries in the sector. Internationally renowned and recognized, it gives students like me the opportunity to meet experts in all areas of the space industry, and to broaden their horizons. I was able to attend technical presentations on knowledge management in other organizations, astronaut nutrition and microgravity research, linking up with the launch campaigns I attended at the Esrange base.

The French presence at IAC 2024 was particularly impressive, testifying to the important role our country wishes to play in the space challenges of today and tomorrow. Our space agency, CNES, was represented on two different stands, with an excellent showcase for French companies and popular events throughout the week. Having been elected National Point of Contact (NPoC) for France within the SGAC in September 2024, the IAC was also a great opportunity for me to represent France internationally within the association and continue to assiduously promote space in our country. I was lucky enough to bump into French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, who kindly stopped by for a few minutes to chat, and I was able to thank him for his support of SGAC's French initiatives since 2021.

Every year, the IAC is known for its dazzling public announcements. This year was no exception, with the exceptional presentation of the suit designed for the astronauts of the Artemis III mission. The Axiom Space x Prada collaboration was unveiled at the exhibition entrance, and I was able to admire this magnificent creation up close. I can't wait to see it on the Moon now!

If this conference is a real intellectual hive of activity, it is also, and above all, a gathering of enthusiasts. At the corner of a presentation, a stand or even in line for security, it's natural to chat with your neighbor and discover the incredible talents and backgrounds of the participants. Whether you're catching up with acquaintances from the other side of the world or forging new friendships, the IAC is the essential place to share your passion and forge a network that will be decisive in developing a successful career.

Without the essential support of the association, I simply wouldn't have been able to attend the conference. I'm immensely grateful for the trust you've placed in me and the opportunity to travel to Milan. It's (space) adventures that shape youth, and this one has undoubtedly been a professional springboard rich in discoveries and encounters.

Yours sincerely