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Testimony from Yves Gourinat, elected full member of the Air and Space Academy

Yves Gourinat

Professor of Structural Physics

Testimonial Category :

Research

Date :

08 Jul 2024

Meeting with Yves Gourinat, elected full member of the Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace

– Yves Gourinat is a professor of structural physics in the Structures and Materials Mechanics Department (DMSM) at ISAE-SUPAERO.
– Already a corresponding member since 2019, he has just been elected a full member of the Académie de l’Air et de l’Espace.

Key dates

1984: Graduates from ENSMA - Engineering degree and DEA, Mechanics & Materials
1985: Graduates from Supaéro - Masters specialising in Aerospace Mechanics and Space, followed by National Service at Supaero
1986: Engineer in industry (Aerospatiale Avions) to do a doctoral thesis (defended in 1989) and take part in the A340 programme (composites)
1993: Associate Professor at Ensica, hired to set up a Space programme
2003: Joins Supaéro as Professor of Structural Mechanics in the Department of Structural Mechanics and Materials (DMSM)
2007: Obtains his HDR (Habilitation to Supervise Research) in Solid Mechanics, Structures, Materials and Surfaces at the University of Poitiers
2011: Qualified as a University Professor by the Conseil National des Universités (French National University Council)
2012: Becomes Director of the Aeronautics-Astronautics Doctoral School (until 2016)
2013: Appointed Deputy Director of the Institut Clément-Ader, Head of the Aeronautical and Space Structures Advanced Master® programme and Head of the Mechanics of Structures and Materials Department at ISAE-SUPAERO (until 2018)
2024: Elected full member of the Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace

Passionate about music from an early age, Yves Gourinat was not predestined for a career in the sciences.

It was at the age of 7 that he discovered his passion for aeronautics: “When I saw the picture of Concorde, I said to myself, that’s what I want to do”. At the time, his love of physics was “completely inseparable from his love of music”, and after completing his studies at the Conservatoire, he continued to pursue both at the same time until he was 19.

“A true enthusiast” is how he defines himself. After hesitating between music and physics, it was physics that finally won out professionally.

This “free electron”, who came from the conservatoire and university, passed the ENSI competitive entrance exam (now the Concours Commun Polytechniques) and entered the ENSMA, from which he graduated in 1984, with a major in Materials.

A career in three vocations

A vocation for teaching

First of all, a vocation for teaching. He owes this in particular to Didier Bellet, professor of mechanics at Supaéro, “an extraordinary personality”, who took him under his wing as an assistant for a year as part of his national service.

It was during this period that his first opportunity arose, the year he turned 25: “He phoned me up one Sunday to say, ‘I’ve got flu, can you do my lecture for me tomorrow?

The first lecture was given and the wheels were set in motion!

“I really enjoy giving lectures because for me it’s theatrical improvisation. I arrive at a lecture without any notes and that’s what fascinates the students! My main accessory is a pair of glasses. Improvisation is very important, it’s the legacy of the Conservatoire and the organ!”

After obtaining his ENSMA engineering diploma and his doctoral thesis at SUPAERO, he joined Airbus in 1990 (formerly Aérospatial Division Avions) and stayed there for 4 years as Composite Structures Engineer on the A340.

A turn in space

In 1994, he flew to Russia for 6 weeks for a SOYOUZ-MIR training course at Star City (a childhood dream).

At the same time, he went back to school and became an associate professor at ENSICA, helping to set up a Space department alongside Pierre Sintes, for whom he was already doing some vacation work: He worked with him for 10 years on launcher dynamics and manned flight safety.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if he hadn’t hired me. I owe my vocation in space to him.”

At ISAE-SUPAERO, “telling the science story”

It was finally in 2003 that he returned to SUPAERO to replace Serge Larose – with whom he had established an “old tradition” by replacing him in the lecture hall whenever the opportunity arose – as associate professor.

But also to follow the advice of his first mentor, Didier Bellet (“You have to do research”), by becoming Director of Research, after passing his HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in 2007.

“Scientific research is a permanent transgression: You have to go where others don’t go”.

Since 2008, Yves Gourinat has been head of the Advanced Master® in Aeronautical and Space Structures. He is also Associate Professor of Structural Mechanics in the Department of Structural Mechanics and Materials, teaches biophysics at the Université Paul-Sabatier and also lectures at the University of Texas at Arligton.

In 2011, the International Astronautical Federation awarded him the Malina Astronautics Medal, a worldwide medal awarded each year to a single individual, in recognition of scientific and educational commitment to the service of Space.

A vocation for aeronautics

Today, the physicist is fully devoted to his vocation for aeronautics, through his courses and his research into his areas of application: cryogenic tanks, living cells and the thermodynamics of hulls. Teaching, the common thread running through his career, remains at the heart of his commitment, as he is currently supervising four PhD students… bringing to 24 the number of PhD students he has supervised throughout his career!

Recognition for a brilliant career

Invited to all Academy meetings since 2015, Yves Gourinat was elected a corresponding member of the Académie de l’Air et de l’Espace in 2019. He joins various working groups on aircraft certification to provide a link between the Academy and the school’s national and international aerospace activities.

Five years later, this emeritus member, who was already active in several learned societies including 3AF, was appointed titular member, and was happy to take on “more responsibilities and duties to honour the Institute and enhance its prestige”.

He will be officially introduced on 6 December 2024 alongside Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez, recently elected corresponding member, at the Salle des Illustres in Toulouse’s Capitole building!

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