Tribute to Jean-Pierre Sanfourche

Jean-Pierre Sanfourche A former student at the École de l'Air (EA54), Jean-Pierre worked as a mechanic officer in the French Air Force from 1958 to 1969.

He graduated from the University of Paris with a Doctorate in Engineering in 1968. He was one of the pioneers of CNES, which he joined in 1969 as head of various projects, before serving at ESA from 1976 to 1981, where he was head of the "First Spacelab Payload" project. He then decided to broaden his experience by moving into private industry from 1981 to 1995 as Director of Management Control (Sodern in particular). He then spent several years as Executive Secretary of 3AF. He became Editor-in-Chief of La Lettre 3AF, a role he passed on to Bruno Chanetz in 2016. When the latter completed his term of office, the 3AF President, for want of a candidate, turned once again to Jean-Pierre Sanfourche... who accepted! He was preparing the 3AF Newsletter for January 2025, as well as the CEAS (Council of European Aerospace Societies) Bulletin AEROSPACE EUROPE, of which he was also editor-in-chief, when death overtook him. Proud of the services he rendered, CEAS awarded him its Distinguished Service Award in 2024.

In every activity that Jean-Pierre undertook, he was animated by a youthful enthusiasm and open-mindedness, both in his private and professional life. As a pianist, for example, he had decided to take lessons again to continue his progress. He enrolled at a Paris music conservatory, where he was delighted to rub shoulders with the teenage students right up to the end...

I spent a lot of time with Jean-Pierre at 3AF and CEAS meetings, and he always amazed me with his knowledge of the latest aeronautical and space news, and his ability to approach the highest administrative or industrial authorities in a straightforward manner to obtain an article in La Lettre 3AF or the CEAS newsletter.

Farewell Jean-Pierre, eternal young man!

Pierre Bescond, Board member, former member of the Lettre 3AF editorial committee

It is with great emotion that I write these lines in memory of our friend Jean-Pierre Sanfourche, who passed away on November 16th. He was both my predecessor and my successor as Editor-in-Chief of the 3AF Newsletter, which testifies to his longevity in the post and his unfailing commitment to the service of our association. I repeat the words I wrote in my first editorial in 2016: "When Jean-Pierre Sanfourche asked me to succeed him as editor-in-chief, I was both delighted and worried. It is indeed an honor to succeed him, as he has given a powerful impetus to this Lettre. My concern disappeared immediately, as he remains on the editorial board as editorial advisor. He will continue to interview the eminent personalities who have given our Letter its great influence in the world of aeronautics and space". These lines have not aged a day. In 2023, Jean-Pierre Sanfourche took over the role of editor-in-chief, continuing with brio the major interviews with decision-makers in the aerospace and defense sector.

A former colonel in the French Air Force, he was an undisputed expert in both the military and space fields, where he continued his career after the army. In 2024, he joined the Haut Conseil Scientifique (HCS) to bring his extensive aerospace and military knowledge to 3AF, and to act as a link with the Letter.

Bertrand de Montluc, who was also a member of the Lettre 3AF editorial committee and a current member of the HCS, wrote on November 16, 2024 to his friends in the CNRS Aeronomy Department, as well as those at ONERA, CNES and 3AF, that Jean-Pierre Sanfourche had "gone in mid-flight", continuing: "Many of his former colleagues and friends today have indeed felt the shock of seeing Jean-Pierre leave us so suddenly. We still remember him as a strong personality who energetically animated the famous Balloon Division at the Toulouse Space Center.

A convinced European, like those of his generation for whom "Europe is peace", Jean-Pierre had decided in 2016 to devote himself to the CEAS (Council of European Aerospace Societies) magazine, which he has brought to a high level.