Juliette Lacasse - 2025 Winning Essay
Since I was very small, I’ve always had my head pointed up at the sky, fascinated by space and, in particular, the technologies that make it possible to go there. Undertaking a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering gave me several opportunities to participate directly in designing space technologies. As an intern I worked with the Canadian Space Agency on projects involving stratospheric balloons, satellites and the Canadarm 3. Also, as part of an extracurricular project I directed the engineering aspect for a team of students leading to the design and launch of a CubeSat satellite in partnership with NASA. In 2022, I wrote a scientific article presenting the technological innovations of this project and presented it at the International Astronautical Congress in Paris. These experiences increased my interest in the complex challenges of space, but they also made me aware of the issues facing the exploitation of space.
I’m now undertaking a research master’s degree at the Université de Sherbrooke in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency. The objective is to develop a technology to deorbit small satellites so that they don’t become space debris. Through this project I want to make the exploitation of space cleaner and more sustainable so that it can maintain its positive impact on everyone’s quality of life.
This master’s degree is only the first step in my professional journey. As an aerospace engineer, I want to create solutions to make the exploitation of space more responsible.