The crystal medal distinguishes men and women, research support staff, who, through their creativity, technical mastery and sense of innovation, contribute alongside researchers to the advancement of knowledge and the excellence of French research.
The Paris Observatory - PSL counts this year in its ranks two happy recipients :
- Pernelle BERNARDI, instrument development expert - Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique (Observatoire de Paris - PSL / CNRS / Sorbonne university / University of Paris) - Délégation Île-de-France Meudon - Institut national des sciences de l’Univers (INSU).
This prestigious distinction rewards her for her investment in the French contribution to the SuperCam instrument that equips the American rover "Perseverance" whose launch to Mars is expected in July 2020. Its objective will be to analyse the composition of rocks by laser spectroscopy in order to search for traces of habitability on the planet.
Pernelle Bernardi’s involvement as the person responsible for the specifications and performance of the instrument was decisive, particularly following the major incident that damaged the flight model.
She managed this crisis brilliantly, under very strong pressure to deliver a high-performance instrument on time to NASA. Its perseverance and refusal to fail were powerful engines for achieving the objectives.
"Receiving the CNRS Crystal Medal this year is a great honour and a great pleasure. I owe this award in large part to those who, from the moment I arrived at LESIA, accompanied me and taught me so much : Tristan Buey, Alain Sémery and Jean-Michel Reess. I also owe it to Sylvestre Maurice, PI SuperCam at IRAP, who trusted me by offering me the System Management, and who has always been an invaluable support."
- expert in scientific computing - Astroparticle & Cosmology Laboratory (CNRS / University of Paris / CEA / Observatoire de Paris - PSL)} - Île-de-France Villejuif Delegation - National Institute for Nuclear and Particle Physics (IN2P3)
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator